A new Community Heroes Mural was unveiled in the stairwell of Ipswich’s New Wolsey Theatre on Thursday 13 November, celebrating local people who have made a huge positive impact on their community.
The permanent artwork, which measures 2 metres by 2 metres square and will sit by the stairs of the theatre, was created by artist Lilly Hammond and depicts people and organisations central to Ipswich’s community spirit, whose hard work has made a difference to the lives of those around them. Suggestions for the mural were gathered earlier this year as part of New Wolsey Theatre’s annual free micro festival The Big Afternoon, where local people were asked to nominate their community heroes.
This project forms part of Creative Communities, New Wolsey Theatre’s programme of support, performances and projects for young people, local communities and the education sector.
Community heroes featured on the mural include: Joyce Jarrett, nominated for her voluntary work in the community, including with Suffolk Family Carers; Police dog Aman, who was stabbed saving his handler’s life; Romeo Mustata, founder of Ipswich Romanian Community; the late Sarah Austin, a much loved member of Synergy Cosplay; Sharon Lockhart, owner of Geek Retreat Ipswich, a safe community hub for many; The Ipswich Outreach bus, representing Ian Walters, founder of the homelessness charity; Clem Turner, chair of the Caribbean & African Health Support Forum; Kate Lankester, for her community and charity work with Suffolk Pride; Aspire Black Suffolk directors Ellisha Soanes, Franstine Jones and Tonia Wilson (represented by the organisation’s logo); Funmi Akinriboya, founder of BME Suffolk; and New Wolsey Theatre’s brilliant volunteer Ushers (represented by an ice cream tub).
An Adinkra symbol, Nkonsonkonson, meaning ‘community links’ – inspired by New Wolsey Theatre’s work with local organisation ACYCLE – is used in the mural to represent all the other community heroes nominated: Anjali Sule, Cad Taylor, Esme Ransom, Georgeta Nita, Jill Birkby, Jon Bennett, Karl Hutchinson, Keith Deller, Lorna Stygall, Dr. Maithlee, Mandy Rawlings, Mary Binks, Millie the assistance dog, Natasha Cobb, Nina Grunberg, Olga Hopper, Philip Carter-Goodyear, Prachi Katdare, Dr. Pravin Desai and Stephen Skeet.
Tony Casement, Head of Creative Communities at New Wolsey Theatre, said: “We are really proud to have created a piece of artwork with our local community that celebrates the incredible difference people make to each other’s lives through everyday acts of kindness.”
Following the mural unveiling, New Wolsey Theatre staff and community heroes held a community get-together, with more organisations and individuals joining for a conversation about what the people of Ipswich need from their community.
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