82-year-old Exeter artist, Paul Colsell to paint largest Charlie Mackesy Mural in city centre
Paul Colsell, a local artist, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to create a mural in the heart of Exeter. Known as the Exeter Kindness Mural it will feature the work of celebrated artist and author, Charley Mackesy.
A key objective of the project is to celebrate kindness in the city. The mural is to be painted this Summer on the Crossline building in Heavitree Road, clearly visible from St Sidwell's Point Leisure Centre. Exeter City Council has approved the project and Charley Mackesy has given his permission for Paul to use one of the illustrations from his book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
The book, which is an international best seller was followed by an animated film version on BBC last Christmas which has just won an Oscar. The mural will comprise Charley Mackesy’s drawing with the words: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” "Kind’ said the boy."
The idea for the mural came from Sue Sharp, the founder of Choices Pregnancy Centre which is housed in the Crossline Building. Sue realised the need for the end facade to be resurfaced due to cracks and graffiti. She thought a mural would upgrade the front entrance and Paul was happy to volunteer, seeing he has painted several large scale murals in his long career in art and design.
Paul, who. has just turned 82 will now climb 10 metres of scaffolding in June to paint the image as soon as the £5000 cost of the project is met. Paul would also like to give surplus funds to the charities who operate in the building as well as a gift to orphans in Africa. In addition to Choices, the building houses the Exeter Soup Kitchen so some of the proceeds will go to homeless people.
Kondanani UK, a local charity, has partnered with Paul to provide financial oversight for the project and offer donors the option of GiftAid, which increases donations by 25% for taxpayers. A team has also come alongside Paul to help raise funds for the project and its designated charities. This includes local photographer Gwenllian Raill and Charity Financial Manager, Tim Davies.
The crowdfunding campaign aims to raise £5,000 to cover the cost of resurfacing and scaffolding needed to create the mural. Paul will paint the mural as a gift to the city. The campaign has already received support from the community, with local residents making donations.
Speaking about the project, Paul Colsell said: “I am thrilled to be working on the Kindness Mural project. It is a fantastic initiative, and I am passionate about using art to promote positivity and kindness. I hope that the mural will inspire people to be kinder to each other, and help to build stronger communities here in Exeter.”
About Paul Colsell
Paul Colsell is an artist based in Exeter, UK. He is known for his large-scale murals, which can be found throughout the city. He is passionate about using art to promote positivity and build stronger communities. To find out more about him read: Meet Paul Colsell the hero behind the Exeter Kindness Mural.
About Exeter Kindness
Exeter Kindness is a project of Kondanani UK an Exeter based charity that exists to alleviate poverty in the UK and abroad. This includes persons who are in conditions of need, hardship, or who are aged or sick. Kondanani UK also supports the work of an orphanage and paediatric hospital in Africa at Kondanani Children’s Village.
