Liverpool Mural Project on U.S. radio station - WUNC

The Liverpool Mural Project was once again on the radio this week, only this time it wasn’t BBC Radio Merseyside or even BBC Radio Ulster but American public radio station WUNC North Carolina, whose slogan reads, ‘Bringing the world home to you’. In an interview on the popular ‘The Story’ programme TLMP artists Danny Devenny and Mark Ervine talked about their work in Belfast and the plans for murals in Liverpool as part of the 2008 culture celebrations.

The Story hosted by Dick Gordon goes out each week all over the United States. Gordon is the former host of The Connection, and is well-known in the profession as an experienced, seasoned and award winning journalist with an extensive background in both international and domestic reporting. He was a host for the CBC’s This Morning the national current affairs radio programme, he has also served as a parliamentary reporter, Moscow correspondent and South Asia correspondent for both radio and television.

Dear Liverpool Mural Project, my name is Reuben Shiels and I came across the Liverpool Mural Project whilst doing research for my dissertation and thought that it was a great idea. I would like to pledge my full support to the project and have even included a photo of me and my paintbrush to show my enthusiasm. I consider the project's aim of visually enriching urban working class areas with murals, whilst helping to regenerate them economically through the tourism the murals will certainly attract, is a particularly noble one. Living in Northern Ireland myself it is also encouraging to see mural artists, as members of the often opposing communities, working together for the public good. Anyway, good luck, I’d love to get involved in the paintings, or just help out in any way and this would give me a good excuse to visit Liverpool. All the best, Rueben.

Give paint a chance! - TLMP in the newspapers again

Belfast’s Andersonstown News has once again covered the Liverpool Mural Project this week as the artists from Liverpool and Belfast met at The Conway Mill to discuss the latest developments.

In an article by Roisin McManus titled ‘Give paint a chance’ which reported on the plans to bring over three Belfast artists: Danny Devenny, Mark Ervine and Mickey Doc to work with Liverpool artists on the historic project and which is now officially part of Liverpool’s European Culture celebrations. Also attending the meeting was Bill Rolston author of many books on murals. This was the latest of many meetings between the group who hope to announce very soon the location and date of the first mural in Liverpool.

Damien Dempsey adds his voice to Mural Project

With all at The Liverpool Mural Project being big 'Damo' fans, we were very excited to receive contact and support from Damien Dempsey, as it was during a trip to see Damo live in Belfast a few years ago that the idea came about.

Damien Dempsey who was born and raised in Dublin is one of the most highly respected singer/song writers Ireland has ever produced and who has travelled the world as a solo artist as well as opening for the likes of Bob Dylan, Sinead O’Connor and Morrissey.

"The Beatles music has lifted and enthralled the young and old, the protestant and catholic, republican and loyalist, black and white, rich and poor, sane and the insane all around this planet for decades, and in the dazzling brilliance of expertly painted murals the fab four’s image should burn and blaze on the gable ends of Liverpool and spark the imaginations of that city’s offspring and visitors.

I think it would be a travesty not to put this brilliant idea into motion, both for the positive effect it will have on the kids of Liverpool, giving them a deepened sense of pride in what’s great about their home town and possibly also giving them a greater interest in their city’s cultural history and maybe even drawing a few more of them towards a musical instrument (one of the best known cures for anti social behaviour and the saviour of many a young life, including yours truly), and also for the positive effect it will have on the two Belfast communities, edging them a little closer together by means of that great leveller, great music."

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Damien is very busy touring at the moment and it's great that he has taken the time to write such a great message of support to our historical arts project. Damo now joins his mate Christy Moore on our website and they both know they're more than welcome to turn up and join in the project, either with a guitar or a paint brush, slainte!

Dear Liverpool Mural Project, my name is Carmel Farley, from Netherton. I’d really like to get involved in helping to paint the Liverpool murals for 2008. I think it’s a great idea, I don’t suppose I’ll get on your website cos I’m not famous but I thought I’d send you my photo and let you know I’m ready to help when you get started. Best wishes, Carmel.

Ok Carmel, no problem, you don’t have to be famous to get on our website, although it does help. You don’t have to be an artist, musician, politician, University lecturer, TV star, or Hollywood film director to show your support, and your more than welcome to get involved in the painting, who cares if you haven’t got a BAFTA, OSCAR or PHD as long as you’ve got a paint brush!

So anyone else who wants to help out painting the murals, or just show your support send us your photo with a smile and a paint brush.