The artwork at the Tontine underpass, created by graffiti artist Simon Daly of Kingsyze Graffiti, was officially unveiled last month following weeks of work and input from dozens of young people from across the borough.
Simon Daly of Kingsyze Graffiti poses in front of the angel wings (Image: St Helens Star)
Simon, 33, spent more than 500 hours creating the mural and said seeing the transformation had been one of the most rewarding projects of his career.
“I am made up with it,” he said.
“It really was one of the worst-hit vandalised spots I’ve ever done artwork on.
“To see the transformation from what it was is incredible.
Simon, Tom and some of the team involved in the mural’s creation (Image: St Helens Star)
“We worked with about 90 young people in the planning of it over four or five sessions.
“Everything that has come together is based on young people’s ideas.
“I’ve put that into the design.
“When they see it, they are proud of it.”
While the artwork – which features a host of St Helens landmarks, glass angel wings and a tribute to St Helens rugby league – is now complete, Simon said the ambition goes beyond creating an eye-catching mural.
“We are hoping to expand what is happening here,” he said.
“We want it to be a positive space.
“We are hoping to put on arts and DJ sessions here.”
When the Star visited the mural – which faces the temporary bus station in St Helens town centre – project leaders were putting on DJ sessions and games, while young people who had been involved in the artwork’s development gathered.
They praised the transformation, with one participant telling us: “It is so much better than it was. When you arrived on the bus before it looked quite seedy. Now we are proud of it.”
Meanwhile, Tom Glynn, from Powered by Hip Hop, who secured funding for the project, said the long-term vision is to create a vibrant community space where young people can gather and showcase their talents.
“I am really happy with it,” the 42-year-old from Haydock said.
“But we want it to be a youth space, somewhere that can be used for games or activities to bring people together.
“I’d like to see artists and performances down here.”
The project has already won praise from the young people who helped shape its design.
One said: “It is so much better than it was.
When you arrived on the bus before it looked quite seedy.
“Now we are proud of it.”
The mural was developed through a series of workshops with local young people, ensuring the final design reflected their ideas and aspirations for the area.
Organisers hope its success will encourage further community-led projects and help change perceptions of a location that had become associated with vandalism and neglect.