Art brickwork to revamp underpass
AN ugly underpass is to be transformed into a picturesque passage through a new art project.
The Macclesfield Brick Project is offering everyone a chance to paint one of the 3,000 ‘bricks’ which line the subway beneath Park Lane.
Every day until next Wednesday (June 1), a different artist from the town will be on hand to help would-be artists create their mini-masterpieces.
Artists include: Ralph McGaul. Kails Tresson, TJ Dolan, Jean Westbrook, Pat Cody, Julie Hamer, Jane Osmond and Dan Petley, who came up with the idea.
Dan said: “Your job is to design and hand paint one in this wall to show how you feel about Macclesfield. When each of the bricks is finished, your work will be a part of a giant colourful communal masterpiece.
“We have been inspired by the diversity of people of all ages, who regularly walk through this underpass, and we want to involve them in producing meaningful miniature paintings.”
The project is being supported by Macclesfield Town Council and runs until June 1.
Dan added: “Your work could be about things you enjoy doing in Macclesfield, local wildlife, a picture of your friend or anything that inspires you.
“Just turn up any day of the project, choose a brick and start painting. We supply painting materials and overalls. So, whether you’re a classically trained master painter or more interested in sketching stick men, we can’t wait to see how you express yourself.”
Coun Neil Puttick, from Macclesfield Town Council, encouraged everyone to get involved.
He said: “We already have lots of community groups and schools coming along for the first half of the project, but if you’d like to paint a brick feel free to come along. We’ll even be running some evening sessions to ensure people who go through at night can try their hand at painting for Macclesfield.
“People taking part in the Brick Project will have their own dedicated brick to decorate, a permanent contribution to the town to show to their friends and relatives. It will also give opportunities to discuss what we want our town to look like and how we can take ownership of our spaces.”
As bricks are completed they will be posted on a website devoted to the project: macclesfield.brickproject.co.uk.
To sign up call 01625 374142 or email clerk@ macclesfield-tc.gov.uk.