Apocalyptic mural in City of Bones

Designed as part of the Voluntary Arts Ireland art series #Loveto, the mural is the highlight of #LovetoDRAW month (October). The mural marks another milestone for Londonderry, the UK’s first City of Culture, as it now joins other major cities across the world in having a legal wall for street artists to use.

The graffiti wall is adjacent to the Verbal Arts Centre, the key place for the written and spoken word in Northern Ireland and an award winning artistic hub, and was painted by Urban Vizualz, a team of top street and graffiti-inspired artists who are experienced in large scale wall art. They will be managing the wall and their ‘The City of Bones’ mural will be on display for a month.

The hellish mural was formally launched by the Mayor, Brenda Stevenson, who said she was delighted to support such a vibrant campaign promoting creativity and innovation, adding: “The #LoveTo campaign offers the chance for people to express their creative talents in new and dynamic forms.”

Walker's Pillar, the Guildhall and St Columb's Cathedral are just some of the landmark buildings featured in the mural

Those with an idea for a piece of artwork are welcome to email Urban Vizualz at [email protected]. It is hoped that the theme and art on the wall will change every few months with contributions from local and international street artists.

Every month the #Loveto team will be introducing a different theme.

Each time they will be inviting everyone in Londonderry and beyond to get involved.

The #Loveto series began in September with #LovetoDANCE and #LovetoDRAW finishes today, Friday, October 31. But don’t despair, as #LovetoSING is coming up in November, so all choirs, singing groups whether professional, semi-professional or just for fun can get involved.

Mayor Brenda Stevenson who launched of thefirst legal grafitti wall at the Verbal Arts Centre to coincide with #lovetoDRAW month. Included in photo are Sean Cavan and Donal Doherty, Urban Visualz, Ruairi McCallion, Verbal Arts Centre and Tony Carlin, Voluntary Arts, Ireland. DER4414MC045

“This creative movement has already seen thousands of people getting involved in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and has starting to make waves across the water in the UK and US as word spreads,” said Tony Carlin, Communications Office for Voluntary Arts Ireland, the over-arching group in charge of the creative series.

Catch up with the October campaign by searching for #LovetoDRAW on social media sites.