YOUNGSTERS have created a 12ft long mural to breathe life into their seaside community.
The group, who attend the Dabble in Art sessions ran by Hartlepool Art Club have been working tirelessly on the stunning artwork.
The plan is for the 12ft by 2ft 4ins painting to eventually be fitted onto the side of the Seaton Gift and Rock Shop, on The Front at Seaton Carew.
The children have been working on the exciting project, called “Seaton Is SO Bracing...” with workshop leaders Denise Heanes and Keith Robson for the past three months.
Denise, an ex-Hartlepool Sixth Form College art tutor, said: “The children took their inspiration from the style of the 1930s railway posters.
“But as soon as the children began to draw their pictures, the mural took on a life of its own.
“You can see many of the familiar sights in the piece – the art deco bus station and Clock Tower, the Marine Hotel, ice cream vans, shops, a bouncy castle and much, much more.
“The children have depicted their local seaside resort – from their own point of view.”
Denise said the group is set to submit a planning application to Hartlepool Borough Council and subject to planning approval the group hopes to have the mural hanging on the wall by the Spring.
“The Gift and Rock Shop is pink and white and full of candy colours – this mural has captured those colours and it perfectly complements the spirit of the shop,” she added.
Around 20 youngsters have been working on the project and the mural features something that each child has created.
Denise had walked past the shop and loved its fittings and fixtures, including models of a giant stick of rock and an ice cream outside.
She said: “I could visualise the children doing a mural to go with that rock.
“I started taking photos and the owner came out but after we got chatting he loved the idea.”
Joanne Burnside, who co-owns the shop with partner Jason Unwin, said: “I’m looking forward to seeing the side of the shop brightened up.
“I have seen the prototype and I think the kids have made a really good job of it.”
Dabble in Art is a children’s art workshop that runs every first and third Saturday of the month, from 10am-12 at Hartlepool Art Gallery, in Church Square.
The workshop is open to children aged five to 16, accompanied by an adult.
Art materials are provided and all children are welcome but existing club members have priority – if the session becomes too full then the new arrivals would have to go onto the waiting list.
To find out more about the sessions call (01429) 869706.
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