Lord Street ‘Walk of Fame’ launched by award winning community gallery

A community run art gallery in Wrexham has launched a special event in the city centre this month.

The ‘Lord Street Walk of Fame’, has been created by the Drawing Board – which is based on the street – with the help of local artists who have painted their own version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame to celebrate the two Hollywood A-listers, Rob McElhenney and Rob Ryan taking over Wrexham Football Club.

Director, Jacqui Blore, said: ‘We’ve had fun with this one! We have wanted to do something to express the growing confidence in the city, and a lot of that started with the take-over of the Football Club.

“Wrexham went on to be short-listed for the City of Culture, and then achieved City Status; the markets are being refurbished, the Monday market is being revitalised, several new businesses are opening in the city and it seems that slowly but surely, the whole place has a more positive vibe.

“We wanted to add to that in our own, unique way.”

The Community Interest Company gallery showcases the work of local artists and makers, and changes the exhibitions quarterly.

Nearly 200 of Wrexham’s artists have exhibited in the gallery since it opened in November 2021 with submissions increasing with every new exhibition.

The gallery charges no hanging fees and a modest 20 per cent of sales helps towards the running of the gallery.

The Drawing Board was recently awarded a grant from the UK Government via Wrexham County Borough Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to put on workshops and events at the gallery, and to engage with community groups throughout the county.

The gallery has also been awarded the F Jones Initiative ‘Make Your Mark Award’ in recognition of its work in the community.

Jacqui added: “We’d love to see the Star-Sheep Enterprise grow, with more Star-Sheep appearing down Lord Street and throughout the city, celebrating the people of Wrexham – those who have made a difference in our lives and to the city as a whole – perhaps even having an annual ‘People’s Vote’ as to who should be named on the next Star-Sheep?

“In the meantime, it would be great if people would come and take selfies with the Star-Sheep and post them on social media.”

The gallery is run by volunteers and is open from 10am to 4pm each day except Wednesdays and Sundays. If you would like to learn more about the gallery please email [email protected].