Spellow Lane continues to shine with new art installation following its re-opening

An installation celebrating the meaning of home will be unveiled at Spellow Community Hub and Library on Saturday (21 June) as part of a special celebration event

The event is the culmination of an artist residency with Dora Colquhoun, a neurodivergent writer, facilitator, performer, and theatre maker, commissioned by Culture Liverpool as part of its Creative Neighbourhoods Programme.

Over the last couple of months, Dora has led a series of creative workshops at Spellow with local residents alongside workshops with community organisations, schools and local businesses including Our House Walton Community Hub, Daisy Chain Nursery and St Francis De Sales Infant School.

The Welcome Home installation will feature pictures by St Francis De Sales pupils, as well as photographs of Walton residents including: Kenny Robert from County DIY, Joan Abela co-Director of Our House Walton Community Hub and 97-year-old Anne Gandy, who was awarded an MBE for her services to the community. 

The event, which takes place between 11am – 1pm, will feature a film screening, a storytelling session, crafting, refreshments and a special performance of a song, written by Dora with George Jenkins, Duncan Riches and participants of Our House, in homage to County Road.

The artist residency is part of Culture Liverpool’s Creative Neighbourhoods programme of collaborative projects and creative interventions that engage with communities and neighbourhoods throughout Liverpool.

The work, which includes artistic residencies, public art, events and creative engagement workshops, aims to address the needs of each community at a neighbourhood level, using co-creative practices to encourage local pride, a sense of place, inclusivity, accessibility and empowerment.

This funding has been made possible as a result of UK Shared Prosperity Funding. UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to support building a sense of pride for the people of Liverpool, contributing to increasing life chances and supporting a sense of belonging for both artists and audiences. This project is supported by recovery funding provided by Central Government and Arts Council England.

The project is the latest to engage the residents in and around County Road, who were devastated when Spellow Community Hub and Library was torched last summer.

Previous projects include What’s Your Walton Story, a 12-week creative writing course led by Writing on the Wall and Our Home, Our Place, Our Space, an artist residency in collaboration with Open Eye Gallery.

Artist Dora Colquhoun, said: 

“I’ve met people at Spellow Library from all over the world who now call Walton home — including a second-generation Irish family and a woman from Germany, who moved to the area eight years ago.

 “I’ve been humbled by this community — who have embraced me and helped me explore what the word welcome truly means. Liverpool is a unique city, and the people in Walton are a true reflection of what makes it so special: a sharp sense of humour, natural storytelling, and the confidence to tell you if they don’t like your outfit!

 “I can safely say Walton has stolen a piece of my heart.”

 Local resident Anne Gandy, 98, who has been awarded an OBE for her services to the community in the area, said:

 “Scousers are the best people in the world, you won’t meet a kinder group of people or more generous of heart.” 

Find out more about the Spellow Community Hub here.

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