Street Art – Only in Fleetwood

Bringing art to the high street with Street Art – Only in Fleetwood! It’s part of Fleetwood’s High Street Heritage Action Zone Cultural Programme (HSHAZ). New town centre artworks, shaped by artists collaborating with residents to draw on Fleetwood’s unique heritage.

A series of creative commissions have been taking place in collaboration with artists and community members. The first phase of the project included incredible contributions from artist Kate Eggleston-Wirtz and animator Trevor Woolery. This explored Fleetwood’s 1841 census data and memories of Fleetwood’s high street.

Street Art – Only in Fleetwood

The second phase of the project has led to new artwork which you can see on the high street. Look out for a series of illustrations created by artist Laura-Kate Draws displayed on windows around the town. Plus a new large-scale mural by Blackpool-based street artist Christian Fenn, aka Seca One. We went to have a look at the completed work in August 2023 –

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Angelica Vanasse is Arts Engagement Coordinator for the project. She said that ‘working with artists helped us to explore the past through a creative lens. Their curiosity brought many unique elements of Fleetwood’s heritage into the work that they created. Bringing their artwork to the high street makes the contributions of Fleetwood residents visible for everyone to explore. It’s also helped to create opportunities for people to connect with and shape stories of the past in meaningful ways. People are the beating heart of Fleetwood. One of the residents said this during an engagement session with artist Laura-Kate Draws. It’s a key part of the artwork.’’

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Only in Fleetwood… with street artist Seca One

Seca One is a Blackpool based street artist, real name Christian Fenn. He’s painted murals all over the UK including many commissions in the North West, Cumbria and London.

He worked closely with Westview Community Centre’s youth group, the HSHAZ and Fleetwood Museum teams. Together they delved into the unique aspects of Fleetwood’s history to create a unique mural to reflect his findings. Looking to create a statement piece, something to talk about for years to come, he spent time finding the right spot for this work. His initial research included time in and around the high street and plenty of research to develop concepts based on the interests and aspirations of community members.

The Landladies Race

The mural on the corner of Lord Street and Mount Street depicts imagery that celebrates the annual Landladies race. It took place from 1956 all the way up to 2004, around the grounds of The Mount. It’s a large-scale mural measuring 7m high by 10m across.

Christian enjoyed the time he spent in Fleetwood – getting to work closely with the people in the town. He says they looked after him well and are salt of the earth. Describing his creative process, he explains that it involves integrating the ideas and aspirations of local residents with historical reference. To remember the past, connect the present and look forward to the future.

The Landladies‘ Race is from the ‘only In’ Fleetwood’ part of the museum display. Back in the day, along with its world famous fishing industry Fleetwood was also a thriving tourist destination. Thousands of holidaymakers came to its scenic lake district coastline and beaches every summer. With many guesthouses in the town, somewhere along the way (in 1956) The Landladies’ Race began. It went on to be an annual event for the next 48 years. The Race was all for fun, some people dressed up and thousands spectated. All the landladies from local guest houses raced around The Mount carrying service trays with teapots and cutlery. The mural revisits this era and aims to spark new conversation about a nearly forgotten time. Hopefully the next generation will pass on the tales for years to come.

Seca also worked with the community centre’s youth group to create a one-of-a-kind mural on a boat. Pictured below it’s and now on display at the centre.

​​About Seca One

Specializing in hyper detailed portraiture and character work, Seca has also travelled the world with his art. It can be found in places such as Miami, Michigan, L.A, Mexico and Morocco amongst other international locations. Seca’s work has been recognised by many known household brands such as Rubik’s Cube, Amazon and Kopparberg. Including commission based work for Bankhall Brewery and Kodak. The most notable being two commissioned works for Netflix. One is a promo for Hollywood production ‘Army Of The Dead’. The other a feature wall for the 2022 Netflix series ‘Stay Close’.

Each year Seca also paints at festivals and music festivals such as Kendal Calling. He also paints at many National and International festivals including Eskfest and Another Fine Fest. Akumal Arts Festival in Mexico and Flint Public Art Programme in Michigan USA.

Seca is also founder of The Butterfly Effected. A global project using art as a vehicle to spread hope and inspiration to people faced with adversities. In August 2023 he’s painting another large scale mural at Jubilee Gardens in Cleveleys.

Drawing on heritage with artist Laura-Kate Draws

Laura-Kate Draws created a series of illustrations inspired by the people, places and aspects of Fleetwood’s past. Community engagement sessions, workshops and conversations were held in 2022.

Laura-Kate shared that “working on the HAZ project was a wonderful experience. Not only did I get to learn a huge amount about Fleetwoods history and heritage, but I also got to meet the people and communities who call it home. Hearing about a place directly from residents is always the best way to build a picture of a town. Buildings and historical facts are important but the heart of a town is the people who live there.

“Throughout my work on the project this was always the focus. How to translate the thoughts, feelings and memories of communities into pieces of artwork reflective of these conversations. It’s important to me that the illustrations encapsulated the spirit of Fleetwood. I hope that the resulting artworks are something that residents are proud of.”

You can find Laura-Kates illustrations displayed on windows on and around the high street. Look out for them at:

• the former Regenda offices
• HSBC building on Lord Street,
• at Fleetwood Museum,
• Westview Community Centre,
• Marine Hall
• and in the windows at Fleetwood library.
• Limited edition screen printed posters and tote bags were made for Fleetwood residents as part of this commission. Some of these are on display at Fleetwood Library on the first floor.

About Laura-Kate Draws

Laura-Kate Draws is a Liverpool-based artist, illustrator and printmaker.

In her own words… “I’m obsessional about colour and pattern. As a result my work is an exploration of meticulous detail and an explosion of bright colour. Things I love illustrating – animals and wildlife. Allowing me to indulge in my passion for the environment and natural science. While whiling away the hours creating curious characters interwoven with whimsical narratives.  Above all else I enjoy drawing and creating work that allows me to escape into the world of my imagination. It’s a place that makes me smile and in turn I hope makes others smile also.

“I run an independent lino and screen print studio in Liverpool called The Paper Moon. There, I create a range of digitally printed cards and illustrations. All of my products are created and printed by myself to ensure the highest quality. I also work on a variety of commissions. These have included a children’s book and sculpture painting projects for Wild in Art. Plus designs for the children’s section of The New Birmingham Library. I’m hugely passionate about teaching art to others. Community workshops, education arts resources, and links with cultural institutions, educational hubs, art & music festivals are some of the things I do.

About Fleetwood High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ)

The Fleetwood Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) Cultural Consortium is a group of local arts and heritage organisations led by Fleetwood Museum. It’s delivering a three-year cultural programme of events and activities. These celebrate and engage local people with their town centre heritage. Funded by Historic England, it’s called From Nothing to Now.

Fleetwood HSHAZ is one of more than 60 UK high streets to receive a share of £6 million. Grants of up to £120,000 have been awarded to local arts organisations for cultural activity on each high street. The Fleetwood cultural consortium is made up of 10 local arts and  community organisations, led by Fleetwood Museum Trust. The group secured £100,000 to create and deliver community-led cultural activities on the high street over the next 3 years. The first phase of the project in year 2 saw the delivery of 2 research  projects and related artistic responses. The current phase of the project is years 2 and 3. It’s the delivery of 4 socially engaged artistic commissions celebrating aspects of the town’s  history. 

The next HSHAZ creative commission as part of the cultural programme is currently underway. It involves a socially-engaged photographic commission with photographer Hannah O’Hara. This is in partnership with Photoworks, an international platform for audiences and artists that champion photography. There will be more opportunities to get involved in HSHAZ workshops and activities over the summer and in the autumn.