Strong Women

Did you know, there are more public statues of men named John than there are of women, in the UK?

Strong Women aims to capture and highlight the untold stories of women in St Helens and Knowsley and celebrate their contributions to the boroughs through two new murals. The project also features a programme of free events, podcasts and schools resources exploring women and LGBTQIA+ artists role within the history of street art.

Part of a series of public artworks platforming the work of women and LGBTQIA+ artists.

Strong Women of St Helens

Carrie first visited St Helens in 2022 to meet some community groups and was inspired by the important roles and responsibilities taken on by strong, local women, and the extent to which women in Parr care and support one another. Over a series of workshops, participants were invited to bring along stories, photographs and talk to Carrie about the local area.

Collaborators in St Helens attended a number of workshops at Parr Children’s Centre, Holy Spirit Catholic Primary school in Parr, The Connie Club and St Marys Care Home, where each person was invited to make and decorate a clay heart in dedication to a strong woman they know, or have been inspired by. Carrie also mentored St Helens artist Claire Eddleston as part of the project, who will continue to share her ceramics knowledge and skills with the community.

The mural’s quote is from mathematician and writer Ada Lovelace, “Here’s to Strong women, may we raise them, may we know them, may we be them.” Each element of the mural was then taken to Carrie’s studio in London to glaze and fire, before installation.

Visit Strong Women of St Helens at: 17-21 Broad Oak Road, St Helens WA9 2DG

Strong Women of St Helens was unveiled at a community event in July 2023.

Strong Women of Knowsley

Artists Carrie and Claire have been working with hundreds of residents from across the borough since March, to collect untold stories and memories of inspiring women past and present. These stories include those of women who have personally touched their lives. Community members have turned these stories into art, creating 540 ceramic tile hearts, created by local people and dedicated to a strong woman who inspires them.

Organisations, participants and groups involved include: Centre 63, The Eco Therapy Garden CIC, Halewood Youth in Community Centre (Boyszee), Huyton residents, Kirkby C of E Primary School, Kirkby Christian Fellowship, Kirkby Library, Knowsley Archives, The Maples, Make Huyton Village, Northwood Mums, Northwood Together, St Marie’s Catholic Primary School, Stockbridge Village Library and U3A Kirkby.

Visit Strong Women of Knowsley next to: The Coffee House, Units 10, 11, Centre Retail Park, Kirkby, Liverpool L32 8US

Strong Women of Knowsley was unveiled at a community event in July 2024

Sister Mural at St Marie's Catholic Primary School, Kirkby

Interest and participation in Strong Women of Knowsley exceeded our expectations, and when we found ourselves with an abundance of clay hearts (more than could possibly fit within the shopping centre mursl), artist Claire Eddleston developed two further 'sister' murals at St Marie’s Catholic Primary School. Each piece was created in collaboration with students, teachers, families and communities at the school, and unveiled in July 2024.

Oral Histories

In collaboration with Knowsley Archive (Kirkby Library), we have supported a number of Knowsley residents to become community historians and archivers! A group learned about the archiving process from experienced archive staff and historians, and were trained to research, interviw, record and transcribe oral histories, which will be included in the Knowsley Archive.