Mural brings hope and inspiration to Ashford’s Beacon Centre

A mural depicting the beam of a lighthouse illuminating stormy seas has been created by Ashford School Art Scholars for the Beacon Centre, a hub for homeless and vulnerable people in Ashford town centre.

Due to the pandemic, the artwork was painted in the Ashford School art studio in four panels and took two years to be completed by a number of Art Scholars artists working in small bubbles to adhere to Covid regulations.

The dramatic seascape is brought to life in acrylic paint on board, and was commissioned through Ashford Together, a community project that aims to bring together people, ideas and resources to make life better for all. It has this month been installed at the Beacon Centre, a place operated by Bright City Church to enable a range of partner agencies to support local people in need.

“It’s great that our Art Scholars have been able to contribute to our community in this way,” said Nicole Rayner, Head of Art at Ashford School.  “The size of the mural was quite daunting at first, but our scholars soon realised that many individuals working collaboratively could achieve an artwork of this scale. It really makes an impact.”

Said Ian Fowkes of Bright City Church: ‘We are very grateful to Ashford School’s Art Scholars for the spectacular mural they have created for the Beacon Centre. The picture speaks so powerfully of the hope and help offered to those experiencing the storms of life.’