One of the unsung heroes of life in Ashford is Chris Dixon, who runs the arts and culture side of the Council’s activities. His latest project is one that can certainly be enjoyed by everyone.
It’s the Ashford Unframed 2023 Festival, which has displayed a series of 16 murals around the town centre. The opening celebration took place at the end of last week, and despite some of the filthiest weather known to man there was an appropriately upbeat mood.
Following on from the success of the Snow Dogs trail, this is another reason for people to come into the town and enjoy an unusual artistic experience. The mural festival runs until April 16th, so do spend some of the holiday period enjoying the sites.
No mural festival would be complete without a work from Mr Doodle, and he is indeed represented on the side of the Edinburgh Road car park. This is not a place which, to be honest, you would normally associate with any sort of creative endeavour, but the power of a mural can be seen in the transformation of the huge wall into something you want to look at. Tom admits that actually doing the work that high up was not his favourite experience.
Other local artists also feature in the sixteen works, and there is an official trail which starts at the station, wends around the town centre and ends at the Picturehouse in Elwick Place. Perhaps the most obviously local is Ashford Icons in the Vicarage Lane car park, showcasing the Willesborough Windmill, the WW1 Tank, and the Victoria Park Fountain.
It’s a great idea and I hope thousands of people come along to enjoy the show. Projects like this which show the creative side of Ashford are really valuable. Make it part of what I hope is a happy and peaceful Easter for you.