The sunny side of the street
Chin Up’s murals are all about making us smile
A Paisley community is waking up to moodbuilding murals – and more could be on the way.
Signifying postive mental health and wellbeing, the bold and colourful images spraypainted across a 30ft wall in New Inchinnan Road, in Shortroods, were inspired by the Chin Up group.
Based at Paisley’s Star Project, the group are dedicated to improving the area they live and launched an online search to find an artist to take on their passion project.
Local independent artist Peter Stewart stepped in and, with help from the lads from Chin Up, created a masterpiece for the whole community to be proud of.
The striking 30ft mural has been several months in the making, but took took just two-and-a-half weeks to paint.
The public art piece, adorning the wall of Drysdale B&B near to Spicy Joe’s takeaway, was unveiled on Friday.
Praising the community effort involved in the project, Star Project’s Heather Kay said: “This has been a really positive experience and very exciting for community members who have been stopping by and chatting about it.
“The unveiling went really well and it was lovely to see the guys’ families turn up to support them.
“We intend to do another mural with Chin Up to hopefully engage younger people and give them a sense of ownership in their community.”
Chin Up are a mental wellbeing group who talk about their struggles in the past and how they are now looking forward to the future.
Heather added: “Chin Up really wanted to improve the community and show that they were proud to be from Shortroods.
“They really wanted to capture how vibrant the community is.
“The wall belongs to Drysdale B&B whose owner was more than happy to be a part of the project.
“The guys met with a few artists but Peter Stewart really seemed to get what we were trying to do and he worked tirelessly through breaks in the weather to get it finished.
“In the mural there are images of mountains and animals including a lion which show how they are feeling now – proud like a lion.
“We are very grateful for the support of Drysdale B&B and Spicy Joe’s, the artist Peter Stewart and the community.
“This mural demonstrates just how great the Shortroods community is.”
Star Project host group activities to further increase community spirit and promote positive mental health amongst the men of Shortroods and the wider community.
Chin Up really wanted to improve the community and show that they were proud to be from Shortroods