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04
Aug 2023
A striking new set of murals aims to bring the natural world into an unloved urban part of Starbeck, its creator says.
Sam Porter has painted three murals to brighten up the underpass near the level crossing.
They feature wild birds and plants, as well as symbols of the area's history, on three boards put up along the white walls.
Harrogate-based Sam was commissioned by Starbeck in Bloom to do the work, which was funded by Northern Rail.
He told the Stray Ferret:
Sam said he was fortunate to be offered space to work in the yard at Amara Jane, the furniture shop next to the station, keeping him close to where the paintings would go on display.
He has struck up a friendship with the business owner, Andreas Mandrekas, and has been offered use of the yard again in future.
After years of travelling to Manchester, where he was being commissioned regularly, Sam is happy to have been asked to do more work in Harrogate in recent years.
His murals can now be seen in Cross James Street in Harrogate, as well as on Cheapside and near the Two Brothers Grill and Pizzeria in Knaresborough.
He has also created artwork for community buildings, including Aspin Park and Western primary schools.
He will soon be working on a mural for the Kiosk at Conyngham Hall as part of Knaresborough's Feva Festival.
Much of his work has been commissioned to brighten up unloved or troubled areas of towns and cities.
Sam said statistics show levels of crime and anti-social behaviour can be reduced if hotspots are improved, prompting more local pride among the community.
His inspiration comes from the world around him, which he began to appreciate more during the pandemic.
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