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Soar, Wandering, Rise, Rolling.

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Date
Spring 2021

Location
Settle

Client
Great Place: Lakes and Dales

Artwork
Commissioned by Deco Publique for The FOLD - Designed and Painted by Signs by Umberto

Funder
National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England

Project highlight
Seeing the project develop from an idea in a co-design session with young people to a finished, 3-storey mural, the design of which was entirely influenced by young people.

An outcome of The FOLD, produced by Deco Publique, the Settle mural takes its direction from young people in the local area.

During a series of co-design sessions led by Deco Publique and PhD Candidate Laura Wareing, young people in Settle voiced their desire for a mural in the town - one that respected the heritage of Settle whilst also referencing a more contemporary vibe as a nod to the young people there.

Deco Publique commissioned traditional Signwriter Signs by Umberto to design and paint the mural, which is sited at the top of historic Kirkgate, close to the main marketplace in Settle town centre. Created in contrasting pastel colours, the mural features four giant words ‘soar’, ‘wandering’, ‘rise’ and ‘rolling’, chosen by the young people as a reflection on their connection to their hometown.

It was important to the young people that, whilst the mural’s main aim was to reflect their own experience of growing up in the rural landscape of Settle, the work should have universal appeal for all residents and visitors. They chose the style, wording and colour scheme with this in mind and were involved in the artist selection process. Signs by Umberto was deemed as a perfect fit due to his ability to create contemporary and bold designs whilst honouring heritage.

Project Areas

Research | Creative Direction | Project Management | Arts Commissioning |Budget Control

Hand Painted Typography

In the design, Robert of Signs by Umberto took inspiration from traditional typography found in advertisements and signage from the 1900s. Every inch of the 27 foot building was painted by hand. The typography was drawn directly onto the wall before being painted to a crisp finish without any masking or stencil aids. Robert is a traditional sign writer based in Yorkshire. He began signwriting at the age of 14 and is now a member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen.

“Personally, I felt it was important to include the word ‘Rise’ in the mural; to me it’s about rising to the challenge of growing up, eventually leaving Settle to go to university and having to face bigger things, but knowing this town has made me. I am beyond proud of what we have managed to do, what Robert the artist has done and what The FOLD has allowed to happen. I hope the mural will be there for years and years to come.”
- Lily Whittle, 19, Co-design participant

The FOLD

The FOLD was a programme of cultural activities focused in three locations in the Lake District and North Yorkshire - rural locales each selected for their distinctive identities and communities. Led by young people through a series of co-design sessions in Bentham, Kendal and Settle, the purpose of The FOLD was to produce a relevant cultural programme that engaged and supported young people to become creatively empowered in their own spaces. Read more about The FOLD here.