New Hamilton Crescent mural celebrates River Clyde

Anyone who has visited Hamilton Crescent from Fortrose Street in recent weeks will have had a nice surprise with the addition of a colourful new artwork added to the club’s outer perimeter, part of a Yardworks’ SWG3 project called Stories of the Clyde.

The new mural on the Fortrose Street side of Hamilton Crescent

Local artist Michaela McManus has been working with Partick Annexe and Hyndland Primary to consider what a new design for that area of Fortrose Street should look like. With the support of the Parent Council at Hyndland Primary and the backing of the club, Michaela has painted a mural celebrating the intertwined history of Glasgow and the River Clyde, which helped forge the city’s industrial history as both a trade hub and shipbuilding centre.

Michaela describes herself as both an artist and a community facilitator, having spearheaded various arts initiatives in Glasgow which have allowed local communities to creatively improve the local environment. She told us, “I’m passionate about making art and creativity accessible for people. This project seemed like the perfect opportunity for some intergenerational collaboration as both the school and Partick Annexe were involved.”

The design was created through a series of workshops held with both young people and local people involved with Partick Annexe’s Dreams and Aspirations project. “I recorded people’s memories and experiences of the Clyde and through the workshops with school pupils we came up with a series of ideas of how the mural should look to illustrate the stories.”

All of the images you can see on the wall were designed by young people themselves. “They even came down to help with the painting! Throughout it there are subtle nods to the various elements of Glasgow’s coat of arms – the tree that never grew, the bird that never flew, the fish that never swam and the bell that never rang. If you look closely, there is also a ball and goal net to acknowledge the first international football match played at Hamilton Crescent in 1872.”

While not a cricket fan, Michaela was open to considering whether there were any other walls to paint, “I love painting walls, so if the club has any other spots for murals I may take up an interest in cricket!”

The club would like to extend our thanks to the Parent Council at Hyndland Primary for organising this and their support.

Next time you are at the club why not take a walk-up Fortrose Street to check out the mural in all its glory!