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Facelift for London Road
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| Sam Butler and Roisin Bagge who painted "Sweet Shop" |
SHOPPERS walking along London Road would be forgiven for thinking that the area has undergone a revamp overnight.
But the new shop fronts are actually murals created by students.
Art and design pupils from Oaklands created the pieces to smarten up vacant properties on the road.
The 3D, to-scale images depicting scenes of a sweet shop, restaurant, art gallery and building site were created as part of a community project to give the old Eversheds site a face-lift.
Eighteen year-old Roisin Bagge responsible for the sweet shop masterpiece said: "Im really proud of what we have achieved.
"Each group got to choose a shop front and when I picked this one I thought it had the potential to become a sweet shop.
"We had a big brainstorm and we decided to make an American candy shop with rows and rows of delicious looking toffee apples."
Art teacher Mick Mills says that he was very proud of his students.
"It was a great opportunity for professional experience for the students and to get them to work in teams," he said.
"The pieces were 12 foot by eight foot so it was no easy task. I am very proud of their perseverance - they stuck at it and they got through all the challenges."
Oaklands principle Mark Dawe said: "I am delighted that Oaklands students were asked to participate in this project. It has provided them with an invaluable opportunity to broaden their portfolios as well as enhance the local environment.
"We hope that everyone appreciates the art - I am very proud of the achievement of our students and it is fantastic that it is now on public display."
Thirteen pupils started creating the pieces in January and they were finished a week before their unveiling last Thursday.
8:41am Tuesday 6th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Vanessa, St Albans on 9:48am Tue 6 May 08
What an absolutely fabulous idea – well done to Mr Mills and his students. I can’t wait to see their work.
One thing is for sure is Wattsdown Developments would not have the courage to allow the students to hang a mural showing the art deco frontage of the Odeon in its glory years. Residents would then be able to lament at what they are about to lose.
In Morecambe, the newly refurbished art deco Midland Hotel is leading the regeneration of this northern sea-side resort. How imaginative and shrewd. For those, like me who have recently been to Morecambe, the similarities between London Road and the sea-side resort have much in common.
However in St Albans we seem to have to put up with a lack of imagination; except thankfully from Mr Mills and his students!
What an absolutely fabulous idea – well done to Mr Mills and his students. I can’t wait to see their work.
One thing is for sure is Wattsdown Developments would not have the courage to allow the students to hang a mural showing the art deco frontage of the Odeon in its glory years. Residents would then be able to lament at what they are about to lose.
In Morecambe, the newly refurbished art deco Midland Hotel is leading the regeneration of this northern sea-side resort. How imaginative and shrewd. For those, like me who have recently been to Morecambe, the similarities between London Road and the sea-side resort have much in common.
However in St Albans we seem to have to put up with a lack of imagination; except thankfully from Mr Mills and his students!
Posted by: Bob, St Albans on 1:21pm Tue 6 May 08
Hmmm...did they get permission from friendly corporate giant Tesco? If not, might Oaklands College be sued for raising the company's image in the eyes of right-thinking people?
Hmmm...did they get permission from friendly corporate giant Tesco? If not, might Oaklands College be sued for raising the company's image in the eyes of right-thinking people?
Posted by: Simon, St Albans on 10:20pm Tue 6 May 08
While I don't want to knock the artistic ability of the students, aren't these houses supposed to be being put back into use to help the massive housing shortage in St Albans? Perhaps Tesco can now pay Oakland's plumbing and building students to do the next stage and put the houses back to good use?
While I don't want to knock the artistic ability of the students, aren't these houses supposed to be being put back into use to help the massive housing shortage in St Albans? Perhaps Tesco can now pay Oakland's plumbing and building students to do the next stage and put the houses back to good use?
Posted by: Vanessa, St Albans on 9:00am Wed 7 May 08
Excellent point Simon – having lived next door to a bungalow left empty for eleven years I share your sentiments. After years of campaigning I finally managed to get the council to act and now it is back in use.
Excellent point Simon – having lived next door to a bungalow left empty for eleven years I share your sentiments. After years of campaigning I finally managed to get the council to act and now it is back in use.
Posted by: Ian, St Albans on 1:30pm Tue 20 May 08
Maybe the oaklands students could prepare such murals for the rest of the city centre once it closes when Tesco opens. Shame we don't get to see real small sweetshops now Tesco have closed down the independents!
Maybe Tesco have a sense of humour after all
Maybe the oaklands students could prepare such murals for the rest of the city centre once it closes when Tesco opens. Shame we don't get to see real small sweetshops now Tesco have closed down the independents!
Maybe Tesco have a sense of humour after all
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