Giant Mural Reflect Harborough At Work

A giant mural reflecting the ever-evolving world of work in Market Harborough has been unveiled at Harborough Museum.

Inspired by the Ladybird Book series ‘People at Work,’ over 250 people shared their personal experiences of where and how they work as part of the project.

Cllr Richard Shepherd (vice chairman of the county council unveils the mural at Harborough Museum

The mural features paintings of those in uniformed jobs like police and postal services, through to shop and café workers and farmers, while making reference to the town’s 800-year-old market and independent businesses.

Funded by Arts Council England as part of our National Portfolio (NPO) organisation status, artists Amy Nicholson and Suzy Gunn of HandMade Theatre led the project and held workshops in the market, museum and at Robert Smyth Academy earlier this year, so the community could get involved.

The mural’s unique background is a collage from local magazines, maps, and books, symbolising the important role history plays in shaping the present, with local people and local community groups to make it a truly local Harborough mural.

Helen Murray is the community participation worker at Leicestershire County Council’s Culture Leicestershire team:

The mural

The mural will be on display at the museum until the end of January 2025, but it is hoped its six pieces can find homes in other community venues when the exhibition ends.

Robert Smyth Academy in Market Harborough will take one piece, having been involved in the consultation process of creating it.

You can see the mural at Harborough Museum, The Symington Building, Adam and Eve Street, Tuesday-Friday, 10am-6pm, and Saturday, 10am-4pm.