In the beginning
Our greatest concern was supposedly vandalism; but we were reassured by town mural pioneers from Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand that that wouldn’t be a problem provided the story lines were the community’s own heritage. They were right; we’ve never encountered vandalism. Where we have lost out, much as was wisely predicted, was to waves from the Firth of Forth, East Lothian weather, air rush induced by passing trains and the frailties of the media on which our murals were presented.
We have formally accepted defeat by the waves from the Forth leaving faint traces along the north facing sea walls, to massive storm damage at Sam Burns Yard and to damp penetrating the wall at Prestongrange Heritage Museum. But, with support from Scotmid and Scotrail, we have risen beyond some challenges posed and we have even reiterated the murals they host. Our famed, internationally painted, 2006 Mural-in-a-Day telling of the 15 minute battle in 1745, lies almost concealed by new wall construction, its storyline upstaged 4 years later by the 105 metre Prestonpans Tapestry!
In today’s digital age
Whilst some fine tangible artworks may have gone missing the images can and indeed do live on thanks to good camera work and the Arts Festival’s archival records. And often the storyline of the mural’s creation has been capture too. John Unwin, who has been keeper of the photographic and published archives since the outset has recaptured here what has gone missing howsoever over our first 25 years.
