All aboard for a new Paisley mural
Artists wanted to create tourism map at train station
A new arrival is due at Gilmour Street station - and Paisley First is calling for local artists to get on board.
Train passengers will soon be leaving and arriving in Paisley to the sight of a brand new mural later this year.
Paisley First are looking for an artist who can design, project manage and deliver an original high quality art work that will have a positive impact on the town and will engage those using the station.
Graeme McGowan, Paisley First chairman, said: “More than four million passengers pass through Gilmour Street, Scotland’s fourth busiest railway station, every year.
“We are looking for an artist who can design and produce a high quality artwork that reflects the town centre’s vibrancy and showcase the many different things there are to do, see and enjoy in Paisley.
“The aim is to provide a welcoming environment for people using the station, brighten up a long corridor and to engage travellers.”
In recent years Paisley has become known for its talented mural artists and off the wall designs.
Last year, a gigantic kingfisher bird mural brought a stunning splash of colour to a drab three-storey building in Paisley town centre.
The beautiful piece of street art in Johnston Street was created by artists Mark Worst and Ross Dinnett with the support of Paisley First.
Other colourful creations dotted around the town include Kevin Cantwell’s Lady Lane butterfly and tree design that celebrates rebirth and hope and Shaun Devenney’s portrait of James Goodfellow, the Paisley man who invented the PIN number.
Paisley’s newest arrival will be in good company – the 7m by 2m wall will sit beside the Welcome to Paisley mural that local artist Caroline Gormley produced the last summer.
The concept for this second mural will be a tourism map of Paisley with a modern twist.
The project is on track thanks to the support of station managers at the ScotRail Alliance.
William Donaldson, the ScotRail Alliance’s station manager for Paisley, said: “We are delighted to support Paisley First and I look forward to seeing the submissions from Paisley’s arts community.
“The station plays a very important role in the town and reflecting the cityscape in murals around it is a great way to tell Paisley’s story to the millions of people using it each year.”
Proposals can be handed into the Paisley First office no later than 9am on Monday, October 22.
Alternatively artists can send their proposals electronically to ask@ paisleyfirst. com by the deadline.
Artists must either work or live in Paisley, or have prominent links to the town.