Deputy Mayor unveils artwork at Mote Park project

Young artists unveil their work at Mote Park Café works

Young artists from Valley Park School Maidstone unveiled their work at the new Mote Park Café works this week. 

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) invited the students to create the artwork who in response designed and painted the beautiful mural which was designed and painted entirely by them.  The artwork is based on the four seasons inspired by the Mote Park location and includes positive quotations the artists chose to illustrate their thoughts as Maidstone recovers from Covid.

Deputy Maidstone Mayor, Cllr Derek Mortimer who joined the students to unveil the artwork said: “I am totally blown away by the amazing artwork.  It has clearly been created from the hearts of the students themselves and incredibly inspirational.  Every time I look at it I see something different.  It looks amazing here in Mote Park and I am sure will inspire anyone who visits and sees it.”

The group of 14 Valley Park students (from a range of year groups) dedicated two days working together creating designs, sketches and stencils, as well as choosing the quotations.

Head of Art at Valley Park and the teacher who supported the students Gemma Lowe added: “We were so excited to be invited to take part in this project which brilliantly displays our school’s ethos – CREATE (Community, Respect, Excellence, Aspiration, Tenacity and Enthusiasm).

“This piece required respect from groups of students who initially weren’t familiar with each other as well as creating a piece of work to be enjoyed by the local community.  They worked brilliantly as a team - tirelessly across the two days.  I am so proud of them, what they achieved and how they worked together.  The mural looks fantastic and I hope everyone who sees it loves it as much as we do.” 

Maidstone Borough Council is leading the work on the Mote Park café which is being built by BBS Construction and expected to be completed by summer 2022. 

Managing Director, BBS Construction Ltd commented: “When the opportunity of artwork was discussed for the Mote Park hoarding, we jumped at the chance to work alongside Valley Park School and MBC. The standard of artwork that has been produced is fantastic and it has created a vast amount of interest and positivity from the public since it has been installed. We cannot thank all of the students and teaching staff enough for their superb artistic efforts.”

The new café will include indoor and outdoor seating, flexible space for learning, an educational and meeting area for local schools and community groups to hire and new larger modern toilet facilities. The build of the new flexible space, café, landscaping and toilets will cost £2.5m and is the second phase of the Council’s investment in the redevelopment and improvements of Mote Park.