Weymouth Library to be brightened up with colourful mural
But Weymouth Civic Society have raised concerns
A colourful mural featuring books and children has been agreed for an outside wall at Weymouth Library.
The artwork is one of a series being installed around the town with others on the seafront and in shopping areas.
A northeast facing side wall of the library and learning centre will be used for the mural, covering a large expanse of brickwork looking out into Great George Street.
Weymouth town council have been working on the art project with the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) to produce a trail of ten outdoor artworks which reflect the history and culture of the town.
The Dorset Arts Development Company is being used as a consultant to help deliver the project with the trail promoted via websites, trip sites and social media.
Each of the artworks has a QR code which can be scanned to find out more information about the artwork and artist.
The library mural is on the theme of ‘life and learning’ with elements of the picture representing life-long learning, community, diversity, nourishment and growth.
It will stand 7.3 metres tall and 2.4 metres wide, positioned centrally with a gap to the top and bottom, stretching almost to the outer edges across the width. The mural will be in six panels, each made of marine grade stainless steel with the joins coated in an external sealant to prevent water damage. Weymouth town council say it will carry out regular checks on all the artworks and undertake repairs and maintenance as needed to maintain their appearance.
Warning from Weymouth Civic Society
Weymouth Civic Society said it liked the message of the picture but suggested the mural might be too large for the wall and suggested it be produced slightly smaller to allow the edges of the wall to frame the picture.
It has also raised concerns about the long-term appearance of all of the murals and has asked for a time limit to be place on them: “Experience suggests that deterioration and dilapidation with any such attachments to buildings is inevitable. We therefore strongly suggest that where permission is granted for any murals, strict time limits should be placed on them,” said their letter to Dorset Council, which granted planning consent.