A local East Belfast business owner was the inspiration for a newly launched mural on the wall of East Belfast Enterprise headquarters at City East on Newtownards Road.
Belfast Mural Arts installed the artwork in a jigsaw-like technique using super strength glue to give it a lifespan of up to 25 years before requiring maintenance.
Speaking about the launch of the mural installation, Jonathan McAlpin, Chief Executive of East Belfast Enterprise, which owns the City East building, said: “We occupy an iconic site on Newtownards Road so our vision was to create something iconic that would exude passion and captivate passers by, filling them with pride and inspiration. I’m hoping that they will pause and take a moment to appreciate the murals and take time to reflect and aspire as they view the subject matter. After months of discussion, planning, painting and engagement with Belfast Mural Arts I’m proud that we can now see the project we envisaged coming to life. For East Belfast Enterprise to be at the forefront of creating a piece of art with Connecting Communities Through Art that tells the true story of modern-day East Belfast, its business heritage, diverse culture, unity and future potential, is a testament to our commitment to this area, its people, remembering its past with fondness and looking with optimism as we journey through its future.
“This mural installation is an artistic reflection of the East Belfast community made while breaking boundaries, building relationships and challenging negative perceptions that lead to division and associated anti-social behaviour in this part of the city. I believe the imagery celebrates and embodies the values that define us and the dreams that unite us.
“Our objective was to celebrate the successes of East Belfast recognising the historic economic achievements from this area while looking to a future that can tap into the latent innovation, talent and entrepreneurship that rests within this community and I believe we have achieved this from the art that is now hanging on the walls of our building at City East. I believe these two murals will create a positive legacy and forge connections in the community. They are a permanent visual presentation of our community’s vision of and for East Belfast. Where there is inclusivity and cohesiveness, there are also productive outcomes and art is a powerful medium to bring people together.”
Abbie Lawlor founder of AHL Apparel is the face of one of the murals and she has benefited from a number of business support programmes to assist her business from East Belfast Enterprise. Abbie said: “I sought help from East Belfast Enterprise mentoring programmes for business start ups. I knew as well as investing in the machinery to create my designs that I would need a strategic business plan and that’s where East Belfast Enterprise came in.
“I took part in the Kickstart programme and then that followed with Her Up. I received a grant of £1,000 to help in the starting of my business and I was given opportunities on the programmes provided by East Belfast Enterprise that I wouldn’t ordinarily have had access to or known about had it not been for their support.
“For example I was able to pitch to a board by making a video presentation to them and before joining the programmes I wouldn’t have had the confidence in myself to do this.
“I am now participating in the ‘Go Succeed’ programme and I really don’t recognise myself from where I started to where I am now – my confidence in myself and my ability and my belief in the brand have grown beyond my wildest of expectations.
“My parents have built a home studio for me and that’s where you’ll find me working on next season’s designs, creating content for social media and processing orders.
“I sell online as well as at markets locally. I’ve attended the Fine and Dandy market, taken a stall at St George’s and have also promoted AHL Apparel at markets in CS Lewis Square and Banana Block.”
Speaking about being the face of the new East Belfast Enterprise mural, Abbie added: “I was very excited to be asked to be featured on the mural. I had no idea it was going to be so impressive as I couldn’t really visualise the size or impact of it before it was installed. I’m very proud to be featured on the wall and my family and friends are delighted to see me smiling down at them.”
The murals have been installed with equipment from Briggs Equipment and have been made possible by funding through collaboration with Apex Housing, Belfast City Council, Clanmil Housing, Connswater, George Best Belfast City Airport, NI Community Relations Council, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Radius Housing.
For more information on the support available for start up entrepreneurs, please visit: www.eastbelfast.org
PHOTO
Abbie Lawlor of AHL Apparel is pictured at the launch of the East Belfast Enterprise mural with Jonathan McAlpin, Lauren Shaw and Kenny Rodgers of East Belfast Enterprise, and Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Ryan Murphy