THE women of St Helens were celebrated at the official unveiling of a striking mural in Parr last week.
Following numerous workshops in the community, the vibrant 'Strong Women' was unveiled at the side of the Conservative Club in Parr on Friday, July 28.
With the mural celebrating strong women across the borough, the joyous unveiling brought together an audience of local residents, families, artists, and politicians.
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Featuring the words 'May we know them, may we raise them, may we be them', the mural is the work of internationally recognised artist Carrie Reichardt, who used a mix of mosaic and screen-printing techniques to create the artwork.
With collaborators at Parr Children’s Centre, Holy Spirit Catholic Primary school, the Conservative Club and St Mary's Care Home, the artwork features hundreds of handmade clay hearts made by children and adults honouring the women they know or have been inspired by.
This includes tributes to mothers, granddaughters, daughters, and sisters, while also combining historic images with mosaic elements to celebrate local women from rag trade workers to professional footballers like Lizzy Ashcroft and Lily Parr.
With the project made possible due to funding from the National Lottery, the creative Heart of Glass organisation will also create a second 'sister' mural in Knowsley next year.
Following last week's unveiling, Carrie said that the Strong Women mural was the "most joyful and community-oriented project [she has] ever worked on”.
Cat from Green Town St Helens said the mural was "so special because the community was key to making the project happen" while another participant said it was "incredible" to see an initial part of clay turned into a heart as part of the "amazing" mural.
Parr Councillor Bisi Osundeko said that by honouring the grandmothers, mothers and aunties, the artwork has brought the generations together.
Steve Bolton, historian and grandson of St Helens footballer Lizzy Ashcroft, said that he is proud that his grandmother now has a permanent memorial in her hometown.
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