A NATIONAL Cycle Network route along the River Irvine has been transformed by a new community mural.

Bespoke Atelier, Impact Arts and local young artists have created the new artwork which has transformed an underpass at Low Green Park on National Cycle Network Route 7.

The community came together on Thursday to celebrate the new artwork.

‘I: Connect' is a mural that explores the town’s traditions and heritage, as well as the local environment.

The community helped shape the artwork's final design, with engagement events taking place to draw out what residents wanted to see included on the wall.

Young artists were employed to help design and deliver the consultation sessions, giving them experience in gathering and analysing the data collected.

(Image: Impact Arts) Bespoke Atelier also provided the interns with an understanding of the creative process behind a large-scale mural. This included teaching them various painting techniques and how to layer a design on a wall using stencils, masking and projectors.

The outcome is a mural which celebrates the natural landscape and biodiversity of the River Irvine as well as the traditions and heritage of the area, with nods to the Marymass Festival and the town's maritime history.

Specialist design team, Bespoke Atelier, said: “It has been a pleasure to work closely with the Impact Arts team, young artists and Sustrans throughout the community engagement, design and installation process.

“The design created reflects the beauty of the river, mirroring its sweeping curves and flow of the water. Combined with inspiration from local flora and fauna and the built environment the mural is layered with texture and detail that will reveal more on repeat viewings.

(Image: Impact Arts) “We hope that the mural will illuminate the underpass, creating a welcoming artwork for the community to enjoy.

“Bright, playful shapes will encourage movement through the space when walking, wheeling or cycling and we hope that the design will enhance the communities appreciation for their local environment and bring a smile to their face.”

Fiona Doring, chief executive officer of Impact Arts, added: “Impact Arts have delivered a wide range of creative participation projects from our permanent base in Irvine for over 20 years.

“A major focus of our work is youth employability and placemaking and this project, delivered in collaboration with Sustrans and Bespoke Atelier, has been a fantastic opportunity to bring those elements together.

“Our young apprentice artists have had brilliant work experience working alongside Bespoke Atelier and the final mural is testament to the range of community voices listened to in creating the final design.

“People using the cycle path along the river Irvine are in for a wonderful treat as the underpass there has been transformed into a beautiful space representing many aspects of local life.”

I: Connect was funded by the Scottish Government and administered through Sustrans Scotland’s Art and Diversity programme. The project was made possible thanks to the support of North Ayrshire Council.

Emilia Hanna, head of National Cycle Network at Sustrans Scotland, said: “We want the National Cycle Network to be the backbone of Scotland's walking, wheeling and cycling network.

“Projects like this attract more people onto their local paths, making them a safer and more attractive alternative to car travel."

For more information about Sustrans’ Art and Diversity programme, visit here.