Flower Streets in Kirkdale is a Safer Streets initiative created with local Councillors and colleagues in Streetscene to help address issues of anti-social behaviour in the area. An element of this initiative was to improve the look of the area and help to bring back a sense of pride in the community.
dot-art were commissioned to deliver nine large scale murals on the gable ends of the ‘Flower Streets’ houses working with visual artist Madeleine Pires. Representing the names of the flowers of each of the streets, the murals were designed and co-created by and for local residents during a specially curated community engagement programme led by Madeleine.
Free workshops incorporating storytelling, writing, drawing, painting and ecology were held at the local community centre, with schools, groups and individuals invited to come along to share their experiences and stories.
The 9 commissioned murals were complete by May 2024. In the September, Madeleine Pires returned to Kirkdale to add two additional murals on Harebell and Snowdrop Street.
The engagement and visibility of these murals have gained a huge amount of attention and praise from those living and connected to the Flower Streets. Madeleine’s close relationship with many of the residents, developed over her residency has been key to the success of this project.
“I get to see my special daisy when I come here” – Sam, Young Resident
“I’ve lived here for about 40 years and it’s been a while since someone has cared enough to do anything” – John, Resident
