Pictured at the mural are: Amelia Earhart Legacy Association committee member Elaine Duffy, Catherine O'Mullan, Director of Curriculum and Academic Standards at NWRC, Gillian Moss, Head of Client Services at NWRC, Donal O'Doherty, Peaball Collective.
Mural unveiled
A spectacular mural celebrating the work of the world’s most famous female aviator, has been completed on the wall of North West Regional College’s Foyle Building (NWRC)
Created by North Carolina street artist Jeks, in association with Street Art Collective Peaball, the mural is so tall it can clearly be seen from the Peace Bridge.
It features three separate images of aviatrix Amelia Earhart along with a red iconic plane.
This week the mural has been visited by thousands of people who watched over four days as the piece was created as part of the Get Up Street Art festival which saw a number of new murals created in Derry-Londonderry during the Foyle Maritime Festival.
Eilish Quigley from the Amelia Earhart Legacy Association committee said the finished mural marks a new horizon being reached.
She added: “The mural is keeping the story of Amelia Earhart’s historic landing in Derry 92 years ago alive and strengthens our connections with Amelia's family and friends in her hometown, Atchison, Kansas.
“Her story continues to be a beautiful legacy and inspiration for future generations.
“To quote Amelia : ‘I don’t see borders I only see horizons and freedom.’”
Dr. Catherine O’Mullan, Director of Curriculum and Academic Standards at NWRC said:
“This spectacular image which now adorns the wall of our Foyle Building displays a powerful message. Amelia Earhart was a woman gifted not only with genius but also qualities such as determination, bravery and self-belief, virtues that we at NWRC strive to instil in all our students.
“A pioneer of aviation we are proud as a college to be associated with one of the greatest role models of the 20th century and inspire future generations with her remarkable story.
“I would encourage local people and visitors to come to the college to see the mural for themselves.”
Donal O’Doherty from the Peaball Street Art Collective who masterminded the Get Up Street Art festival said: “The Amelia Earhart mural is part of a collection of works created as part of the Get Up Street Art Festival. It was created by World class artist Jeks and the fact that we brought Jeks across the Atlantic to create this masterpiece adds an extra dimension to the story. We are delighted with the finished product and hope it’s enjoyed by everyone who sees it.”
Amelia Earhart’s association with the North West began in 1932 during her successful attempt to become the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. On May 21, 1932 Amelia Earhart landed in Gallagher’s field in Ballyarnett. Despite staying only a day, almost one hundred years later Amelia’s story is still remembered across the city, and her image is now immortalised on the estate of the city’s Further and Higher Education college.
Pictured at the mural are: Amelia Earhart Legacy Association committee members Caroline McGowan, Elaine Duffy and Eilis Quigley, Donal O'Doherty, Peaball Collective, Catherine O'Mullan, Director of Curriculum and Academic Standards at NWRC, Conor McGurgan, Marketing and PR manager NWRC, Erin Hutcheon, Senior Marketing and PR Officer NWRC, Gillian Moss, Head of Client Services at NWRC, NWRC, and Amelia Earhart Legacy Association committee members Nicole McElhinney, Maureen McGhee and Sinead Hawkins.
