Lockwood’s restaurant in Ripon, North Yorkshire, has launched its art celebration of all things Alice in Wonderland.
The restaurant has supplied local schools with the tools to make a huge mural to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s book.
Alice in Wonderland has connections with the city of Ripon. Lewis Carroll, who grew up outside Darlington, took much of his inspiration from the City’s cathedral and suddenly appearing gypsum craters. But now there will be a new memorial to all things Alice in Wonderland, as Lockwoods has asked 12 local schools to help paint a huge mural on the wall opposite the restaurant on North Street.
The mural is unique in that it is the first outdoor painting to be erected in the city and will be lit by the restaurant’s lighting, giving everyone the chance to see it, day or night.
The work will be created by about 50 local school children as part of the celebrations of the 150th anniversary.
Lockwood’s owner Matthew Lockwood:
I wanted to celebrate the anniversary with something that everyone in Ripon and the surrounding areas could enjoy. So we wrote to many local schools to see if they would like to get involved. We will now have 12 depictions of the classic story for everyone to enjoy, painted by our local school children. All the work will be specially treated to withstand the weather, and it will be a beautiful commemoration of our link to the World famous book.
The schools taking part are:
- Holy Trinity Church of England Infant School
- Holy Trinity C Of E Junior School
- Queen Mary’s School
- St Wilfrid’s Catholic Junior School
- Moorside Infant School
- Boroughbridge High School
- Greystone CP School
- Cundall Manor
- Ripon Grammar School
- Spring Hill School
- Outwood Academy
- Ripon Cathedral Church of England Primary School
Mrs. Dodds art teacher at St Wilfrid’s Primary School said:
Our children are thrilled to be taking part and that they are helping to mark the occasion. It will be fitting to have something lasting that children, parents and locals can enjoy. The children are busy working on their design.
Matthew said:
This exciting development in site-specific street art references Lewis Carroll’s frequent visits to Ripon, and the book’s connection with food.
Ripon’s Right Hon. Mayor will unveil the mural with the children involved on Sunday 22November at 11.30am.
Lockwoods is then celebrating with a Mad Hatter lunch from 12pm.
