The Process

Newmilns Regeneration Association have been working behind the scenes with local artists Frank and Mandy Carty of Artisan Artworks to come up with a proposal for murals which depict the history of Newmilns.

We have drawn up a Community Consultation in order to get the views of the residents of Newmilns and would really appreciate your input to our Survey, link at the bottom of the page.

This consultation will also be displayed on the Community Notice Boards.

We will also be displaying the proposals at the Newmilns Christmas Fayre on Saturday 30th November in the Morton Hall (paper copies of the surveys will also be available here to complete).

Artisan Artworks also plan to visit Newmilns Primary School to present and explain the proposals to the children.

The survey will run from Sunday 24th November until Sunday 22nd December 2024.

The Benefits

The aim is to boost footfall to the town, which will, in turn, support the local economy. Across Scotland, mural trails attract tourists from around the globe, and we plan to integrate the Newmilns murals into these broader trails. Frank and Mandy Carty are involved in the Glasgow Mural Trail, a portfolio of 31 murals in the city centre and you can read more about it here Glasgow Mural Trail

Additionally, the murals will feature in our Heritage App, currently under development by our Heritage Group, to further enhance their accessibility and appeal.

By encouraging visitors to slow down and appreciate their surroundings, we hope they’ll take time to enjoy the art and its connection to the local area and it's rich history in lace weaving.

Since the murals are outdoors, they provide an inclusive experience for everyone to enjoy whenever it suits them. We also want to spark thought-provoking conversations through the stories and themes portrayed in the artwork.

The Locations

It is proposed to site each of the murals on two gable end walls - one facing east and the other facing west. Two potential sites have been identified for the murals, and discussions have already taken place with the owners of both properties, who have indicated their willingness to take part in the project.

Site 1

Property adjacent to Lady Flora's at 133 Main Street - currently a private residence and prior to this was the factory of W.W. Wales Ltd, Butcher.

Site 2

The Loudoun Arms, gable wall at Castle Street. This is a Category B-listed building, built during the 18th century with links to the Covenanters and Rabbie Burns.

The Artist

Frank Carty of Artisan Artworks is recognised as one of Scotland's top mural artists, and we are proud to have him as part of our Newmilns community. His wife, Mandy, is an equal partner in the business and collaborates with Frank on their stunning artwork. Their impressive client list includes Heineken, Diageo, the BBC and NHS, as well as a diverse array of private clients.

Frank learned his craft from his father and travelled across Europe working as a street artist on sites like Champs Elysee in Paris and La Rambla in Barcelona. Eventually settling in Newmilns, Frank and Mandy's art studio is at King Street, Newmilns where they often host workshops for different groups. More info on their work can be found on their website Artisan Artworks.

The Murals

It is proposed to create two separate murals - the proposed designs reflect some of the rich heritage of Newmilns which has its history steeped in weaving and the lace industry. Hand loom weaving was brought to the Irvine Valley by Flemish refugees at the end of the 16th Century. Around two centuries later the Newmilns lace industry rose to national prominence, as Britain began importing cotton from the United States. The madras lace industry became the largest employer in the area and Newmilns enjoyed a period of growth until the 1970s and today there is still a world wide demand for lace with MYB Textiles and Haddow Aird and Crerar the last two remaining factories in Newmilns.

Concept 1

Lace (Lady Flora's/Main Street Building)

The design shown in the image below, a black and white artist impression created by Frank, is based on an MYB Textiles lace design titled 'Lydia', which dates back to 1936. The concept is to achieve a 3D-style mural with the lace draped over the side of the building. It is proposed that the town crest (Weave Truth with Trust) and town motto are painted to look like carved stone with gilded lettering (gold leaf), with a paragraph to be created below the town crest in the same letter style as the William Morton Memorial, situated at Gowanbank.  The mural would be painted in full colour, with a life span expectancy of 10-15 years.

Concept 2

Hand Darner Sitting on Stool (Loudoun Arms)

Taken from a recent photograph at MYB Textiles, depicting a hand darner carrying out inspection and repair of the lace panels, whilst sitting on a low wooden stool. This process is still carried out today, on the same type of low wooden stool used for over 120 years. The design concept presented below is based on a photograph of long-standing MYB Textiles employee Janey Gray, who is set to retire next year after 26 years of dedicated service to the company.