Hemsworth Mural

As part of the Our Year 2024 Crossings and Gateways Programme, artist Douglas Black created a new mural at Hemsworth Library.

When developing his design for the library, he was keen to ensure community voices we represented in the artwork. Throughout September and October 2024, Douglas met with many groups who call Hemsworth Library their home. He attended coffee mornings, knitting groups, history groups and youth groups to get a broad range of voices, even joining a local walking group to get to know the area. In total, over 80 people took part, shaping the final designs through artistic workshops and sharing stories of what they love about Hemsworth.

 

Lighting the Lanes

The artwork features an array of vibrant designs, adhered to the library windows and fascia using vinyl to create a stained glass effect.

Artist, Douglas Black, said: “I have loved engaging with the community in Hemsworth. A place defined by its people and the efforts they make to create a warm and inclusive community. The people I met embody knowledge, creativity, and connection. The library isn’t just a place for information; it’s a hub of play, conversation, and vibrant community activity. In creating this mural, I wanted it to be a celebration of this, a way to share with the public the amazing activities that take place in Hemsworth’s community spaces. It’s about shining a spotlight on the energy, warmth, and resilience of this remarkable community.

Lighting the Lanes features themes of nature, joy and community, with nods to Hemsworth’s industrial past, and its aspirations for the future.

The title Lighting the Lanes reflects the idea of bringing light and connection to different communities. “Lighting” has multiple meanings: the lightning that struck the Venerable Yew tree (a tree that has stood in the centre of Hemsworth for at least 700 years), the miner’s lamp, the light of knowledge found in books and people, the energy from coal and coal gas, and the symbolic “lighting up” of communication pathways that connect the community.

It also refers to the actual light created by the stained glass window designs, with the lanes and crossings around the library symbolizing pathways linking the past and the future. The library’s location, surrounded by many lanes, adds a literal connection to the title.

The mural invites those who encounter it to honour the past, engage with the present, and shape the future.

About the Artist

Douglas Black is a multidisciplinary artist rooted in Yorkshire. He loves the visual and performing arts, as when he dropped out of the school system, these were the mediums that reengaged him with community and challenged his own social isolation. Douglas now holds a master’s degree in fine art, a Theatre degree from Leeds University, and is a UK Creative Communities Fellow.

Douglas’s portfolio features a range of community-led projects, including the Harrogate Letters mosaic, a project that created nine mosaics in the town centre using over 100,000 tiles. His ability lies in creating artworks that foster connection and conversation. Douglas conducts innovative workshops for leading organisations, engaging participants of all abilities, and co-producing meaningful community engagement.

“When we are open to crossing paths, it brings change—whether small or significant. Each encounter is an opportunity to be heard, seen, and to meet new people. Libraries, like Hemsworth Library, are perfect for this, as they offer a place to explore ideas and connect with others without being rushed.”