TWO open days offering residents and visitors the chance to view a unique piece of Barnard Castle’s history are to be staged during the May Day bank holiday weekend.
They are being staged ahead of a planned bid for funds to restore the Pittuck Mural, which adorns the east wall of St Mary’s Parish Hall, in Newgate, and stage an exhibition of the artist’s work in venues across the town.
The Pittuck Mural was painted onto the parish hall wall by artist and teacher Douglas Pittuck shortly after its construction in 1957.
Restoration work was carried out on the mural in 2003, but it has continued to deteriorate and is now in need of further repairs if it is to be protected for the future.
At an open meeting in January organised by church and other volunteers, there was overwhelming support for the group to come up with ideas to preserve the mural.
They have organised two open days, on Sunday, May 5, and Monday, May 6, to allow visitors to the parish hall to view the mural in its current state and talk to volunteers about what the future might hold.
Matthew Read, director of the Bowes Centre for Arts, Craft and Design at The Bowes Museum, who is among those involved in the project, said: “The open days are part of a bigger project which will lead to a funding bid for the restoration of the mural plus an exhibition of some kind.
“That might include The Bowes Museum, The Witham and retailers with the mural at the centre of it.”
He added: “There have been Pittuck exhibitions in the town before – at least two, maybe more – but they were decades go, so it was felt it was time to have another one, especially as there was this great response from people to save the mural.”
Any exhibition is likely to be held next spring, added Mr Read. He said exactly how the mural would be restored was still under discussion and he added that the open days were simply to raise further awareness of the artwork.
“It’s a chance for the community to come in, have a look and have a chat,” he said.
“We are trying to get as many people on board.”
Some Pittuck-related merchandise has been produced and will be available on the days. The open days coincide with a refreshment and book sale which are also taking place in the parish hall during the bank holiday weekend.
Anyone interested can go along to the parish hall between noon and 4pm.
