Image Credit: Kirklees Council

By KLTV Newsdesk –

Local Artist and Schoolchildren Collaborate on Stunning New Artwork

As Heckmondwike prepares to open its newly developed market square, a striking mural by local artist Emmeline North has been unveiled, adding a vibrant touch to the heart of the town.

New Square will be a dynamic, flexible space designed for events and social gatherings.

Once fully completed, it will play a key role in the Heckmondwike Blueprint—a long-term regeneration project aimed at transforming the town centre over the next decade and beyond.

A Creative Community Effort

Over recent months, Emmeline North has worked closely with two local schools, Holy Spirit Primary School and Heckmondwike Grammar, to produce artwork that would enrich the space.

Inspired by the work of 18th-century local chemist Joseph Priestley, the children explored scientific themes in their designs.

Using small water balloons with a cage and vessel, they created imaginative images that formed the foundation of the mural.

Lewis Hemingway, Voice & Influence Worker, explained the artistic process: “The young people involved in our sessions spent some time going through the work of Joseph Priestley.

“We focused on the discovery of carbonation, which is part of the inspiration for the mural and then drew their ideas.

“Their drawings show how they imagined gas changing to liquid and full of colours they thought would represent each gas!”

Exciting Plans for the Grand Opening

New Square is set to officially open in just a few weeks, with a celebratory event planned for 19 April.

The launch will feature the first local farmers’ market at its new location, attracting visitors from near and far to experience the revitalised space and explore a range of vibrant stalls and local produce.

Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “The changes we’re making in our town centres – not just here in Heckmondwike but across Kirklees – are all about creating fantastic spaces that will survive and thrive for future generations.

“That’s why it’s so fantastic to see young children being a part of our plans to regenerate Heckmondwike, and to see their creativeness represented in the newly developed New Square for years to come.

“I very much look forward to seeing New Square open to the public in a few weeks’ time, and I hope local people will enjoy the new artwork and all that this space has to offer.”

Looking Ahead

The transformation of New Square is just one element of the Heckmondwike Blueprint, a wider initiative set to bring further improvements to the town centre.

To learn more about upcoming projects, visit Heckmondwike Blueprint.