Putting art at the heart of Kirkcaldy's High Street ...
The finishing touches are being put to the latest giant artwork to be added to Kirkcaldy town centre.
And it means there is now a trail that leads the length of the High Street, showcasing the work of a number of outstanding Fife artists.
The latest mural, by Lisa Graef, is now taking shape on the gable end at the east end of the High Street on what was once the Port Brae Bar.
It will celebrate Kirkcaldy’s world-leading linoleum industry and add huge swathes of colour to the entrance to the Esplanade.
The murals have all been backed by the Kirkcaldy Lottery set up by the Adam Smith Global Foundation, and have helped to transform the landscape of the town centre.
It means the frontages of several large, empty buildings are no longer eyesores, underlining how public art is one way to transform a town - and also they give people a new reason to wander round the High Street.
There is no doubt the murals along Kirkcaldy High Street are a vast improvement on the eyesores the town has put up with since the chain stores all shipped out, leaving behind boarded up buildings which are then left to decay.
While the former shops are empty on the inside, their external windows and doors have been given a new lease of life with a series of eye catching murals.
If you haven’t been down the town centre for a while, here’s our guide to the artwork, and where to see it.
> The Duchess
The side wall of the Duchess has been transformed by Vanessa Gibson, who is now a full-time artist after teaching art at Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes for 22 years.
She specialises in pop lyrics and words, weaving them into highly colourful paintings and murals - she was also the artist behind one of the Wemyss cats which sits outside Rejects with lyrics from Squeeze’s hit song, ‘Cool For Cats’ on it.
The pub has now extended the pink background of her work to give the building a completely new look.
Start your trail here, and if you cross the road to the High Street, check out the mosaic of the town badge etched into the pavement. A little bit of artwork that often goes un-noticed…
> Debenhams
The first artwork to add some much needed colour can be seen at the former Debenhams and New Look shops in the heart of the pedestrianised zone.
They feature the work of local artist and illustrator Catherine Lindow.
Her artwork features illustrated shopfronts inspired by real buildings in Kirkcaldy. Packed with references to local places and people, the designs encourage residents and visitors to take a closer look at the town’s unique mix of historic architecture.
> Whit’s Gaun Oan?
The old Debenhams’ building is also home to a billboard for local groups to promote their events.
Kirkcaldy-based sign writer Lisa Graef - known as Painty Lisa - was commissioned to paint the billboard frame the bold label ‘Whit’s Gaun Oan?” as a clear message that this is where you can find out what is happening in town
The Kirkcaldy Lottery part-funded the project with support of MKM in Kirkcaldy, which supplied all of the wood and boards, Dulux, which donated the paint, and local volunteers who helped with the board's construction.
It has been well used by many groups staging events and concerts, and there is no charge to pin up your posters - the sole request is that anyone using it shows some basic courtesy and only removes or covers expired events, and keeps inside the frame.
> BhS
Across the road, the long abandoned former BhS store is now home to a ‘Dancing In The Streets Of Raith’ mural by Kirkcaldy-born artist Lauren Morsley - complete with a busker’s corner for musicians to utilise.
It has transformed the front of an other appalling eyesore, adding a huge splash of colour to the landscape.
> M&S
The unmistakable work of Kirkcaldy artist Susan McGill now covers the vast frontage of the old M&S shop.
The giant windows now proclaim “I’d Rather Stay Here In Kirkcaldy” in her trademark style and have again transformed a long abandoned retail unit - one that dominates the pedestrian zone.
> Love Kirkcaldy Actually
The front of the old ABC Cinema has also been given a make-over which has sparked memories of visits there for generations of folk across the Lang Toun.
The old ABC logo has been restored along with a cinema billboard proclaiming ‘Love Kirkcaldy Actually.’
The work was done by Lisa Graef and Susan Warner, and completed in just one day
They used some of the old red letters from the sign above the door showing which films were screening - and when it was first unveiled, the artwork looked so authentic some people actually thought the old cinema was back in use!
As well as the ABC logo, it also features mock up film posters for ‘Gone With The Wynd’ and ‘Breakfast At Greggs.’
> Young Adam
The biggest mural in Kirkcaldy town centre dominates the eat end of the High Street.
Kerry Wilson’s latest work celebrates a young Adam Smith looking out to the Forth where the sight of ships arriving from across to trade in the Lang Toun inspired his renowned work, The Wealth of Nations.
Kerry, who lives in Kirkcaldy, is renowned for her giant murals in Cowdenbeath
Her work now adorns a gable end in the east end of the High Street, right next to what was once The Enlightenment which was run by the Adam Smith Global Foundation, and is now the office of Melanie Ward MP.