A ‘safari’ of animal art is being let loose in Gloucester this half-term to brighten up some of its empty city centre shops and alleyways.
Colourful murals and posters have been created by 10-year-old Euan Moorey. The murals of a rat and a badger are in the Queen’s Walk alleyway next to Boots on Eastgate Street. The posters will be displayed in empty shop windows in Kings Walk and Eastgate Shopping Centres this half-term for shoppers and visitors to enjoy. Euan has produced the large-scale designs with the help of his dad, George and Jolt Studios resident artist Stuart Rush.
The Gloucester BID funded project is to increase footfall. Shoppers and visitors will have the chance to win a £50 Gloucester Gift Card if they tag a selfie with the eye-catching designs over half-term.
Euan created 53 animal designs during lockdown when his parents agreed to help him devise a home learning project. Euan has always loved to doodle and had been teaching himself how to draw animals. The family has since helped the enterprising youngster set up his own website, along with a small business selling t-shirts with the animal designs. The enterprise is sustainable with a tree being planted for each item sold.
The city centre project follows a mission to brighten up Euan’s street by sticking animal designs on the wheelie bins there. Euan and his dad will also be creating a trail for families featuring the animal designs around the Kingsholm neighbourhood in November.
Euan said, ‘Last year we painted a fox mural near where we live so I’m really excited to see more of my animal designs made big so people can see them.’
George Moorey said, ‘Euan loves being creative and has been developing a great collection of animal drawings for a while, it’s a terrific opportunity to celebrate his art and make the city a bit more colourful.’
BID Manager Toby Woolridge said, ‘It’s really good to see more artwork in the city, brightening up otherwise dull and non-descript areas. This builds on our existing ‘Nature’ art trail and ‘Utility Box Art’ installations from early this year, details of which can be found on our website www.gloucesterbid.uk . BID will be looking to add more colourful artwork in due course.’
