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Jo Peel is photographed from behind wearing an orange High Vis jacket, stood on a ladder, painting the mural.

Welcome Home

4th Sep 2023

Together with local residents and business owners from Huyton Village, artist Jo Peel has created a new mural for the high street.

Project Details
Creative Team
  • Lead Artist: Jo Peel
  • Artist / Facilitator: Cathy Cross
  • Collaborators: Local businesses, shopkeepers and residents
  • Producers: Anna Kronenburg, Rhyannon Parry

Welcome Home is inspired by the ongoing evolution of Huyton Village, and the growth and journeys of its residents. The village is a place to meet and connect, a place where generations of families have passed down their businesses, passions and stories.

Over the years, the village has been affected by the changing face of the high street with the emergence of big shopping centres, internet shopping and convenience culture.

But one thing that has always remained the same: people’s desire to meet in collective spaces; to shop, to eat, to get a haircut, to have a natter.

Over the past two months, we’ve connected with local businesses, shopkeepers and residents through a series of drop in sessions and consultations. The stories, hopes and dreams they generously shared with us are woven into this artwork.

The mural depicts familiar buildings stacked together, symbolising the ways the community support one another. Trees rise through the buildings symbolising new growth. Also depicted is the River Alt, which rises in Huyton and is the second largest river on Merseyside.

Wrapped around the branches of the trees are ribbons from the family-run haberdashery, telling stories of multiple generations working together towards a shared goal. Meanwhile, tomato plants and vines grow from window boxes, representing the newer residents of Huyton, who have laid down roots and brought with them customs from their homelands.

Thanks to all the individuals who generously shared their stories and memories and hopes for Huyton Village with us.

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

Jo Peel is photographed wearing a hi-vis orange jacket painting the mural.
The Welcome Home mural by Jo Peel is photographed on a sunny day on Huyton High Street.
a family walks past the mural on Huyton High Street, their reflections are shown in a puddle below them, and the mural's reflection is behind them.
The Welcome Home mural by Jo Peel is photographed at night on Huyton High Street.
Jo Peel and a man with white hair wearing a suit look up at the mural.
The mural is photographed on a sunny day, the puddle on the ground below it shows its reflection.

Visit the mural

You'll find Welcome Home at: 9 Cavendish Walk, Huyton, Liverpool L36 9YG

About the artist

Jo Peel

Read more

Supported by Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme and Knowsley Council. A Borough of Culture Legacy project: Huyton Village tells its story.

knowsley.gov.uk