IT IS HOPED an art trail in Abergele will inform, raise smiles and leave a lasting legacy.
Themed around the idea of ‘I’m A Celebrity Too!’, large creepy crawlies - made out of recycled materials - have been affixed to buildings. There were created by Small World Theatre.
There is also eight ‘ghost ladies’ which glow in the dark and film projected on windows.
Small World Theatre made the insects. Picture: Paul Sampson
Photographer Niall McDiarmid - whose pictures are held in the National Portrait Gallery and Sir Elton John’s photographic collection - was commissioned to take people’s portraits across the community of Abergele. .
Participants were asked to wear their best clothing, as if they were going to a red carpet function.
This bug is certainly making its presence known! Picture: Lizzie Hill
The project, to celebrate I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! being filmed at Gwrych Castle, aims to celebrate both workers and residents in the area that are also ‘celebrities too’.
A spokesperson from Abergele Golf Club, who were asked to be part of the project, said: “We were excited to be invited to take part in this project by Paul Sampson, curator at Oriel Colwyn.
"Janis Langdon, Joan Hacking, Bill Whittaker, Adam Ferguson, Lewis Ferguson, Stuart Runcie, Adam Runcie and Lauren Howorth represented Abergele Golf Club.”
The project has been installed by Oriel Colwyn and is supported by Conwy Arts Trust, Cartrefi Conwy and Abergele Town Council.
A ghost lady and film projected on to buildings. Picture: Paul Sampson
As part of the project, a ghostly animated film - made using the pictures of the Countess of Dundonald, said to haunt Gwrych Castle, was created. This is projected on to the windows of buildings.
Six-foot images of Walter Richards, who drew a series of cartoon characters whilst staying at Gwrych Castle in 1907, have also been produced on vinyl and are displayed in empty shop windows.
The exhibition is displayed on prom shelters in Pensarn.
A spokesperson for the project said: “This project will be used to kick-start a community driven, long-term focus on improving the visual amenity of the town.
There are eight ghost ladies. Picture: Paul Sampson
"The eight ghost ladies can be moved to alternative locations as a permanent installation at the end of the exhibition or left in-situ.
"I'm A Celebrity (Too) will have a permanent online exhibition that will assist with promoting the town.
One of the bugs - reflected the famed I'm A Celeb bushtucker trials. Picture: Paul Sampson
"We will use the insect installations to inspire future art and the environment work; educating children, local groups and visitors on the importance of bio-diversity and what exciting mini beasts they can find on their doorsteps."
Work on the art trail started in September after it was confirmed in August I'm A Celebrity would be filmed in Abergele.
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