Kildare County Council announces winner of prestigious mural award
The artist will engage with young people in Athy in order to create a community mural
Kildare County Council (KCC) has announced the lucky winner of a prestigious mural award.
According to KCC, street artist RICE, real name Eduard Sacrest, has been selected as the recipient of the Castle Park Mural Award.
The mural will be delivered through the Empowering Communities Programme, with help from Creative Places Athy.
‘SPARK REFLECTION’
Originally from Barcelona in Spain but currently based in the UK, RICE will work with young people in the Castle Park region of Athy as part of the award, in order to co-create a community mural.
Speaking about RICE’s talent, KCC said explained that he works primarily in the field of urban art, ‘interacting with public space using the environment and streetscapes to express interests, concerns, and spark reflection on social challenges’.
KCC elaborated: “He combines studio and street work with social projects, using mural painting and street art as tools for community engagement and positive social change; his work is seen on walls and urban street settings around the world, as well as galleries and museums.
“RICE will work closely with residents of Castle Park through a series of creative workshops taking place over the Halloween period, and participants will have the opportunity to explore themes of identity, community, and belonging, culminating in the creation of the mural.”
KCC added: “The project aims to act as a catalyst for meaningful community engagement, encouraging young people to reflect on the diversity, strengths, and unique experiences that shape their community, leaving a lasting visual legacy that reflects their voices and experiences.”
‘PROVIDING A PLATFORM’
Announcing the award, Laura Buckley, Creative Places Athy Coordinator, said: “We are thrilled to have internationally renowned street artist RICE to Castle Park to collaborate with young people in the area on the creation of a new mural, providing a platform to make their voices heard and to directly influence and shape their local environment.”
Speaking after the announcement, the director of services at KCC, Joe Boland, said: “This is an exciting first project for the next three-year phase of Creative Places Athy, and we are delighted to partner with Kildare's Empowering Communities Programme on this community-focused creative collaboration.
He added: “Bringing together a renowned international artist and local young people, the project reflects our commitment to participation, creativity, and placemaking.”
Creative Places Athy is funded and supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and KCC.
It aims to support and grow arts and cultural strengths in Athy with individuals, artists / creatives and local communities.
The Castle Park Mural Award is sponsored by Athy Plant Hire and Sales.