SUMMER 2009 MURAL PROJECT

  

In 2009 WYA embarked on a Mural Project. Three artists worked with local young people to create new murals for Waterford walls. This projectwais supported by Waterford City Council Environment Section. The three artists were: Tom Casey, Anthony Mackey and Clare Scott.

The project aimed to counteract the prevalence of graffitti on the walls around town.

We would like to thank David Flynn Builders for their help with a premises as an art studio and also Colortrend, the paint and wallpaper specialists on Tramore Road for sponsorship of materials.

MAP OF 2009 WYA MURALS: Move mouse pointer over a marker
to identify the mural. Click centre of marker to see details.

Tom Casey and the old mural

Press release: Facelift for bottom of Bunkers Hill

Local visual artist Tom Casey created a third mural over his last two pieces, which are situated at the junction of College St. and Manor St. Tom told us the background: “Myself and John O’Regan were asked by the local An Taisce to do a mural there over twenty years ago and we created a landscape based on some photos I took in County Leitrim when visiting my friend Deccie O’Brien. I’m not sure if many people remember the mural. It was mostly browns and greens”. Tom then explained how the present mural came about “Then after two years myself and fellow artist Pat O’Brien covered it with the present mural which was commissioned by the local Civic Trust. It shows a number of local historic buildings with birdlife and also has a local man Paddy Flynn – affectionately known as the birdman – who could be seen feeding the birds everyday at the Clock Tower. This mural was intended to be seen for a couple of years but that was nearly 20 years ago”.

Which brings us to today and Tom went his hat trick with a new mural on the same site. The mural was commissioned by Waterford Youth Arts who secured some money for a new mural from Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund through Waterford City Council’s Environment Services Section. This project aimed to counteract the prevalence of graffiti around town, and Tom has involved local teenagers in the project. “The new mural will again feature some local historic buildings but with a new twist and I was asked to keep a reference to the birdman in the new work so that he won’t fade from memory – I hope the public will like it but if they don’t sure I can come back in a couple of years and do another one”.

The new mural