Photo: Ashford Borough Council
Ashford Town Centre is set to become a contemporary street art trail, transforming many blank walls and building surfaces into high quality mural paintings and bespoke integrated artwork.
Artist set to use the Kent town centre as their canvas include the celebrated Mr Doodle, Alex Chinneck, Andy Welland and Chris Hylton.
Other local artists and students will also get the chance make their mark on the town centre, including Snowdog artist Danielle Williamson, Tiny Dog Creative based in the Coachworks and students from Ashford College.
UNFRAMED – Ashford’s inaugural Mural Festival will launch on the 31 March 2023, and run through the Easter holidays with walking tours, a film programme at Picturehouse and family friendly art workshops.
Artists are set to begin bringing the multi-location trail to Ashford the week commencing 27 February, with final pieces completed on the lead up to the launch event at Coachworks, Ashford on 31 March.
The UNFRAMED festival launch event is free to attend, taking place between 4-10pm, including family friendly art workshops, live Graff by Alex Oddhouse, live panel discussion on the festival and live DJ.
All of the artworks are in easy walking distance of each other and will be part of the UNFRAMED art trail for local residents and visitors to enjoy.
Those taking part will be able to pick up a map from Coachworks, Low Key Tap Room, Picturehouse or The Craftship and wander around the town centre immersing themselves in the street art and learning more about each piece.
Alternatively the pieces can be viewed individually and by scanning the accompanying QR code, information about the artist and work will be available.
The artworks as part of UNFRAMED are expected to remain in situ for a short while after the festival ends, with many continuing to be on show longer term – creating a legacy for everyone to enjoy in the future.
The lineup
Full list of artists and locations are below:
- Mr Doodle – Park Street
- Alex Chinneck – Vicarage Lane Car Park
- Andy Welland – Bank Street
- Curtis Hylton – Bank Street
- Charley Peters – St Johns Lane
- Alex Oddhouse – Dover Place
- William Redgrove – Castle Street
- Chris Page – Elwick Rd
- Hatch – Bank St
- Tiny Dog x TLMC – Dover Place
- Danielle Williamson – Vicarage Lane Car Park
- Ashford College Students – Station Approach
- Ashford College Students x Accent – Station Road
- Aspire – St Johns Lane
The project is supported by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities with a budget of £25,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).