New South Shore Mural Unveiled to Celebrate the Area's Rich History and Community Spirit
A new mural called ‘Within Ya Grasp’ has officially been unveiled on the corner of Bond Street and Station Road, creating a striking new landmark representing South Shore’s heritage.
The large-scale artwork is the first piece to be completed as part of The Big HeArt Project. The aim is to use public art to celebrate local stories, bring communities together and create lasting pieces of work inspired by Blackpool's past and present.
The project has been funded through Arts Council England, with additional match funding from the Pride in Place Impact Fund, agreed between MP Chris Webb and Blackpool Council. The idea for the mural began when Christian Fenn (SECA) and Hayley Garner (AYLO) from The Butterfly Effected had a vision for bringing large-scale public art to Blackpool.
The mural may be the first public artwork in The Big HeArt Project, but the story behind it begins much earlier. Christian and Hayley are the founders of The Butterfly Effected CIC, an organisation that uses creativity, storytelling and public art to inspire positive change within communities.
The organisation was born from personal experience. With both Christian and Hayley having had their own very different but personal challenges with addiction and mental health, they wanted to be able to use art and creativity to engage with others, help people navigate difficult periods in their lives and discover new opportunities for growth and self-expression.
Their passion has grown into a community organisation delivering workshops, creative projects, documentaries and public artworks, while also supporting people affected by addiction and poor mental health.
Hayley said "We both know first-hand how powerful creativity can be. Art gave us a way to process difficult experiences and helped shape who we are today. Through The Butterfly Effected, we want to create opportunities for other people to find confidence, tell their stories and feel connected to the communities around them."
Christian added "Murals are about much more than painting a wall. They're an opportunity to start conversations, celebrate local identity and create something that people feel proud of. That's always been at the heart of what we do."
With significant investment already taking place in South Shore, it felt fitting that the first mural should celebrate the area's history, culture, and the people who helped shape it.
Angela Kershaw, Head of Business Growth at Blackpool Council, says "South Shore has a fascinating story and a strong identity that deserves to be celebrated. This mural creates something visually impressive for residents and visitors, and also encourages people to look a little deeper into the history of the area and the communities that have contributed to its development over many generations."
Christian and Hayley have spent time speaking with local residents, community groups, schools and historians to better understand the area's heritage and the stories that continue to define it today. Those conversations helped shape the final design and ensured the artwork reflected South Shore's unique identity.
The standout mural displays a giant seaside claw machine filled with objects chosen to represent the people, ideas and opportunities that have shaped South Shore. While the title "Within Ya Grasp" reflects opportunities through community, creativity, connection and access to support.
Inside the machine are a collection of recognisable references to Blackpool's identity, including sticks of rock, the famous tramway, football, live music, amusement attractions, local landmarks and cherished seaside traditions. Together, these elements capture the memories, culture and shared experiences that both residents and visitors associate with South Shore.
A notable feature of the piece is the tram destination board, which displays the word "Progress" a nod to Blackpool town’s motto, to represent the idea that growth, recovery and personal wellbeing develop over time. Rather than being a destination, progress is shown as an ongoing journey made up of many small achievements and steps forward.
The mural also reflects life’s uncertainties and how outcomes can never be guaranteed and obstacles are often unavoidable. Through this message, the artwork recognises the resilience, optimism and perseverance that help people keep moving forward, even when the path ahead is unclear.
Christian says "Being able to create something inspired by local history means a great deal. We hope people see the mural, connect with it in their own way and feel proud of the area and the stories that make it special."
The unveiling of this mural marks the beginning of The Big HeArt Project, with further murals planned across Blackpool in the coming years, each designed to celebrate different aspects of the town's heritage, communities and culture through public art.
