A groundbreaking initiative is bringing color and creativity to the streets of Margate as local and visiting graffiti artists collaborate on a legal street art project at the Arlington House construction hoardings. The project, spearheaded by local artist Louis Michel of Rise Up Residency, has secured official permission from property owners to transform the previously dull gray barriers into a vibrant welcome display for visitors entering the seaside town.
Louis Michel described the initiative as "a very chilled paint jam with a bunch of local graffiti artists and a couple out of town artists," emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project. The artist explained that additional works are planned for the opposite side of the hoarding in early 2025, expanding the visual impact of the installation. "The idea behind this project is to provide local graffiti artists a safe legal environment to paint and collaborate with other artists from outside of Thanet," Michel stated.
The project operates without strict creative guidelines, encouraging participating artists to express themselves freely and develop their artistic skills. This approach has resulted in a diverse collection of street art styles and techniques displayed across the construction barriers. The hoardings now feature works by Michel himself, alongside prominent Thanet artist Vince Pugh and approximately ten other contributing artists from both local and regional backgrounds.
The transformation has dramatically improved the aesthetic experience for visitors and residents approaching Margate. What was previously described as "dull grey hoardings" has become a much more colorful and engaging entrance to the town, creating a positive first impression for those arriving in the area. The project demonstrates how temporary construction barriers can be repurposed as canvases for community art initiatives.
Rise Up Residency has established itself as a significant force in the local street art scene through various high-profile projects. The organization recently collaborated with Scottish artist KMG on multiple works, including "The Ocean Wolf and the Selkie" mural on Retort House in Broadstairs and "The Shark Whisperer" in Westbrook. Additional projects in Margate are currently in development, suggesting continued expansion of the organization's artistic influence in the region.
The current Arlington House project builds upon Rise Up Residency's extensive portfolio of previous community art initiatives. In past years, the organization has been responsible for creating murals at notable locations including Cliftonville Lido and various sites throughout Margate. This track record demonstrates the group's commitment to enhancing public spaces through accessible street art.
The Arlington hoardings have a history of featuring community art projects. In 2020, the same barriers were decorated with images celebrating Black icons, created by students from Ramsgate Arts Primary School under the guidance of artist Ben Connors in collaboration with the People Dem Collective. The Arlington Arcade hoarding has also previously featured a memorable "Only Fools and Horses Jolly Boys Outing" themed mural, showing the site's continued use as a canvas for popular culture references.
For those interested in following future developments and participating in upcoming projects, Rise Up Residency maintains an active presence on social media. The organization encourages community engagement through their Instagram account @riseupresidency_, where updates about new initiatives and opportunities for artistic collaboration are regularly shared. This ongoing communication ensures that local artists and art enthusiasts can stay informed about opportunities to contribute to Margate's growing street art scene.
