Impact Arts artwork commission: Kilbirnie community mural

Fri 12th September 2025

Impact Arts was recently commissioned by the Garnock Valley Locality team to help create a new community mural in the heart of Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire!

We were thrilled to be invited to support with this intergenerational project, involving people of all ages in the community.

Through a series of Paint and a Pie workshops this summer, the design concept was created in collaboration with locals, Garnock Valley Locality team (part of the council’s wider Community Learning and Development service), and our talented mural artist Nicola McGuigan from Little Book Transfers. Everyone then got involved, picking up a paintbrush to bring the idea to life.

Watch our TikTok video on the process!

The final mural was unveiled by North Ayrshire Provost Anthea Dickson at an opening ceremony at the start of September. It’s located on the Main Street of Kilbirnie, next to the roundabout at Radio City, meaning locals, visitors to the town, and people passing through have a great view of the creative piece. The formerly derelict space now adds a wonderful pop of colour and character to the town centre.

“Vibrant, interesting and exploring key historical landmarks, the new Kilbirnie ‘On the Up’ mural is such a wonderful addition…I am delighted that the Garnock Valley Locality team alongside Impact Arts have been able to transform this wall space, with the ideas and hard work of a group of volunteers. It is now a spectacular focal point for all to enjoy.” – North Ayrshire Provost Anthea Dickson

Kilbirnie on the up!

The uplifting tagline ‘On the Up’ is depicted using a spool of flax linen thread referencing the town’s history of linen production and flax farming heritage, most notably by W & J Knox.

The inclusion of a ‘fish lady’ is also a nod to the town’s preexisting Mona Lisa mural and the same company who have been cleaning and repairing fishing nets for the past 240 years, explaining the occasional fishy smell that locals are all to familiar with!

Other elements include the Kilbirnie War Memorial arch, a wheelbarrow full of veggies from The Wee School Pantry community larder, the JD Pierce crane, Kilbirnie loch, and the striking Hygieia statue and snake, representing the Greek goddess of health, sanitation and hygiene – as this is a much-loved local statue, situated outside Kilbirnie’s Walker Memorial Hall.

Garnock Valley Youth Forum volunteer and MSYP for Cunninghame North Rhyan Gorrie shared: “A big thank you to everyone who helped with the Paint and Pie project. I volunteered time alongside my friends and we have loved being a part of the project. This mural is a celebration of Kilbirnie’s long and rich history, and of the love we share for our town. What makes it extra special is how it brought together people of all ages, united in a single goal, to see Kilbirnie on the up!”

Transforming lives through creativity

Amanda Munro, Programme Manager at Impact Arts, said: “Our mission at Impact Arts is to help people and communities transform their lives through creativity and the arts, and so when we were approached about helping to create a community mural over the summer we jumped at the chance.

“Impact Arts has a long history of working in North Ayrshire, and we believe creative interventions like painting a mural are a fantastic way to bring people together, often across generations to share experiences and learning.

“We worked hard to ensure the group worked with an experienced artist like Nikki, who could produce a final design that demonstrates all the views from the discussion stages in an eye-catching way that gives a statement for the future of Kilbirnie.

“We enjoyed working with the Garnock Valley Locality team based in Kilbirnie, Gavin and David, who care so much about improving opportunities for their local community, and it was a pleasure to partner with them.”

Community collaboration

Artist Nicola (pictured with pink vest) was responsible for coordinating the project on behalf of Impact Arts. She said: “When I heard about ‘Paint and a Pie’ I thought… people coming together to be creative whilst eating pastry?! Now that sounds like a good time to me!”

“It was a joy to facilitate this mural and get people in the community involved in something they had never done before. It was great to see everyone sharing knowledge, staying committed throughout, and getting stuck in to the painting.

“During the first session on the street, participants and passersby were asked – ‘If you could describe Kilbirnie in three words, what would they be?’ For every negative they had to counteract with a positive answer…

“We decided it made sense to include some of these words in the mural. We had a few different options for the tagline and we cast a vote and ‘On the Up’ was chosen. I think this reflects the positive attitude those who took part have about Kilbirnie!”

The whole team at Impact Arts is delighted with the final outcome of this creative project. Thank you to everyone involved for including us in this wonderful community mural project. We can’t wait to see how Kilbirnie continues on the up!

Commission Impact Arts 🎨

Do you have an idea for a creative project in your community? Whether you’d like to commission one of our art programmes, a creative workshop, public art like a mural, or a community consultation, Impact Arts can help you make it happen. We regularly work with people of all ages as well as companies, local authorities, and other charities to transform lives through creative engagement.

Let’s make art that makes a difference to your community ❤️

Visit our Commissions page to learn more or email us today at development@impactarts.co.uk to find out how we can support you.

Impact Arts is a community arts charity based in Scotland. Since 1994, we’ve been delivering creative arts and support programmes for children, young people, adults, families, and older people who are facing disadvantages or barriers to progress in life. Our mission is to tackle inequalities, address poverty, and transform lives through art and creativity.  

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