In amongst the day trippers on the busy high street overlooking Margate Beach an interested crowd has gathered near an old retail unit, which for over a decade has had it’s entrances boarded over. There, a set of murals are being created, to add some colour to the space and to bring a bit of street art to a town with an already proud artistic pedigree.
Organised by Ayaan Bulale from the Street Art Agency, she has just opened the ‘Affordably Affordable Art Boutique‘ around the corner in ‘Pop up Margate’, a regenerative venture to bring trade to the town and to provide space for entrepreneurs to start their businesses.
And, given some of the artists on show in the space, not least a rarely seen Banksy print and an installation piece by thread artist Perspicere, you’d be suprised not to see street artists high tailing it from the bubble of London towards the sands of the Thanet coast.
Visiting the town for only the second time, the first had been personally characterised by a first taste of jellied eels, not to be repeated, on what was a cold winters day back in the late nineties. Now, the place couldn’t have been more different, the beach was packed and signs directed visitors to cultural attractions such as the Turner Contemporary Gallery which is almost certainly going to be the destination for a future visit.
Painting today the artists on show included Guisi Tomasello, Gary Alford, Pyklops and local Margate graffiti writer Darkissed Dayze. Joining in throughout the day, a number of local children and a number of passers by stopping to chat to the artists as they worked. Street art, judging by the reception of local people, is enjoyed by many on the seaside and given Ayaan’s track record of organising street art related events it looks like their might be more to come for this seaside town.
The Affordably Affordable Art Boutique opened in Margate on Saturday 11 July 2015 and can be found on 95-102 High Street, Margate, CT9 1JW.
Margate Street Art Gallery
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