Portsmouth City Council has received additional levelling-up funding from the government for artists to get creative on the 80-metre-long hoarding at Hilsea Lido, as part of the Hilsea Lines project.
My Dog Sighs was asked to repaint his popular ‘eyes’ artwork on the Lido wall as it has been a well liked focus for dog walkers, cyclists and runners over the last few years. Fark FK from the Corner Collective was approached to help bring the project together and collaborate with MDS on the new centre piece which hopes to spread some love, positivity and brighten the area in the northern part of the city!
Through the Corner Collective, the pair has also helped the council enlist more than 10 other local artists to get involved with this exciting project, to offer a diverse range of art styles, from whimsical figures, graffiti-style, and images that reflect the sea and the nautical nature of our city.
Each of the artists will create their own style of art on the hoardings, to collectively represent levelling-up, the city of Portsmouth, and the different elements of the Hilsea Lines project, which includes Hilsea Lido, Foxes Forest and enhancing walking and cycling routes in the north of the city.
All of the painting crew including resident artists from the Corner Collective will be putting their stamp on this project this wknd from Friday to Sunday (24-26 Feb). It is an exciting way to spend time over the next few days popping down and seeing the work at hand. Artists included in the session this wknd are; M-one, Sadie Tierney, Berk, Mook Loves You, Mister Samo, Roo Abrook, South Soak, Midge, Winnie May, Pogo and Gary Stranger.
All of the footpath will remain open during this wknd and it will be a dynamic thing to go and watch while taking a stroll around the Lido facilities including the cafe there and the walk around to the Mountbatten Centre. The creation of this 80-metre-long wall of art is set to bring a smile to anyone’s face including families and passers-by on the A27, as you can see the MDS piece from the motorway. it is unusual to see so many of the local artists in one spot painting at the same time so if you do get a chance to pop down, enjoy this moment!
The council said “The levelling-up funding was a joint bid, with the International Port, to transform Portsmouth’s visitor economy. The council received £8.75m levelling up funding from the government for the Hilsea Lines area, with Hilsea Lido at the heart of the redevelopment. We’re also creating more accessible and better-connected woodland and green space around Hilsea Lines, to create a visitor attraction that promotes health and wellbeing for everyone to enjoy.”
Cllr Steve Pitt, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, and Economic Development said: “We’re grateful for the additional funding from the levelling-up fund to make the hoarding at Hilsea Lido a showcase of art to reflect the redevelopment in our city.
“It’s very exciting to have so many local artists involved in this ambitious project, which we hope brightens up the popular footpath at Hilsea Lines. The artwork will be able to be seen from the motorway, as a symbol of the exciting changes that are happening in our great waterfront city.”
Sabrina Richards, Chair of the Hilsea Lido Trustees, said: “Hilsea Lido has previously embraced street art and engagement with Portsmouth’s artistic community. I’m delighted that there will be a continuation of this initiative with the creation of vibrant artwork on the hoardings, outside of the lido, which is at the heart of the Hilsea Lines redevelopment project.”
With the fact this is a popular place for exercise and culture, it will be nice to see this part of the city shine!
