Kirkdale’s celebrated Flower Streets project completed with Crocus Street Mural

The final mural in the award-winning Flower Streets has now been completed on Crocus Street, bringing a close to the transformative community project.

The project, which has seen 11 murals inspired by floral street names so far, has brought together the Kirkdale community through art, storytelling and shared pride.

Earlier this month, local artist Madeleine Pires returned to the neighbourhood to complete the last large-scale floral mural.

The Crocus Street mural is the 12^th in a series that has turned the ends of homes into tributes to the streets they represent. Each artwork draws inspiration from its namesake flower and incorporates contributions from residents and schoolchildren, including one resident’s grandchildren depicted as flowers and floral motifs from Kirkdale St Lawrence Primary School.

Daisy, Harebell, Pansy, Snowdrop and Woodbine streets all have artwork in their honour, starting in April 2023.

Since its launch, the Flower Streets project has received critical acclaim, winning the both the People’s Choice Award and the Community Cohesion Award at this year’s Liverpool City Region Culture & Creativity Awards, recognising its impact in strengthening neighbourhood ties, building pride of place and addressing anti-social behaviour.

The project has been curated by Culture Liverpool alongside Safer, Stronger Communities, who commissioned local arts organisation dot-art to deliver the vibrant murals.

It forms part of Liverpool City Council’s Creative Neighbourhoods programme, which aims to address the needs of each community at a neighbourhood level, encouraging local pride, a sense of place, inclusivity, accessibility and empowerment.

It was also supported by the government’s Safer Streets initiative with funding for new street lighting, CCTV cameras and clearing alleyways.

Madeleine Pires said:

“It’s an absolute delight to return to the Flower Streets, where I have reconnected with friends from the past two years. Working on the last house in the row of 12 is a momentous occasion, because it was in a sorry state for so long.

“To paint flowers that symbolise joy and renewal is so fitting for this murals project, which has been more impactful and positively received by the locals than ever expected. I will be forever thankful to have had this opportunity to bring colour, beauty and encouragement to this community, which has become like a second home to me.”

Lucy Byrne, Managing Director of dot-art said:

“This project exemplifies dot-art’s commitment to using creativity as a force for positive change. The success of the Flower Streets Murals proves that when you truly engage communities in the creative process, the impact reaches far beyond the walls themselves.

“It’s been a privilege to deliver this initiative with the amazingly talented Madeleine, and we’re proud to have played a part in creating something that will inspire and unite this neighbourhood for years to come.”