Take Part in Harborough's Art Story
- Karin Blak
- Feb 2
- 2 min read
Market Harborough already tells powerful stories through art, from familiar landmarks to creative details woven into everyday spaces. From sculptures and mosaics to textiles and architecture, creativity helps shape how we experience our town. Now, a new public art trail is beginning to take shape, inviting the community to help imagine what comes next and explore how art and colour can continue to enrich our shared spaces.
The Profound Effect of Colour
Claire from The Paint Pottle and Lara are no strangers to the power of creativity in shared spaces. Many will remember last year’s Clean Up, Colour Up project, which brought
unexpected bursts of colour and joy to Market Harborough through painted utility boxes. It was a simple idea with a big impact, one that showed just how much colour and creativity can lift everyday surroundings and contribute to our collective wellbeing.
Claire, who is surrounded by colour daily in The Paint Pottle studio, is keenly aware of how visual environments shape how we feel, even when we don’t consciously notice it.
She talks about how colour influences our emotions and behaviour, a theme beautifully explored in Kassia St Clair’s The Secret Lives of Colour, which has inspired Claire's approach to art. Claire says, "It’s the kind of book you can dip into and suddenly see the world around you differently." It is this way of thinking Claire brings to the new public art trail idea.
Be Part of Market Harborough's Art Story
The Market Harborough Public Art Trail aims to build on what’s already here. From Frank
the Plank at Union Wharf, to the gilded Grammar School building, the textile banners in the church and the Swedish Maiden mosaics in the library, the town already tells stories through art. The vision now is to expand this story, adding new artworks that reflect our community, spark joy among residents and visitors, and pique people's curiosity to explore.
A pilot art trail is currently in development, but this is very much a community-shaped project.
Claire and Lara are keen to hear from as many people as possible about what art means to them, and what they would love to see represented in Market Harborough’s streets and public spaces. Everyone is welcome, though younger voices are especially encouraged.
If you’d like to help shape the future of public art in Market Harborough, please take a
moment to complete this short survey and share it far and wide:
Small ideas can spark big change, and Market Harborough has shown time and again what’s possible when the town comes together. This is your chance to get involved, connect with a welcoming creative community, and help shape a vibrant local art scene that reflects who we are and what we love about our town.
Be part of the Market Harborough Art Trail. Get in contact with Claire at the Paint Pottle: https://www.thepaintpottle.co.uk/
Help shape the future of public art in Market Harborough. Follow the link and fill in the survey :
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