Somerset Maugham Mural for Whitstable
As a Whitstable based portrait artist I am fund raising to create a mural to celebrate the life of one of Whitstable’s most famous sons, William Somerset Maugham. With support from Whitlit and other local interested businesses, educators and organisations I am working in conjunction with Parry Law Solicitors to produce this substantial mural. The final mural will be painted with the help of a muralist with the support of a commercial house painter and others. The intention is that money raised will be spent of various professionals like house painters and mural painters as well as a planning application etc.
The mural is designed to do several things.
1. Re-connect Somerset Maugham with Whitstable.
2. Visually enhance the look of Whitstable by adding visual character to this already arty place, The site sits at the heart of the town.
3. Stimulate interest in Somerset Maugham and his life’s work.
4. Attract tourists to the town (see above).
Monies raised will be for:
1. Preparing the wall and fixing any damage to the wall, 2 days
2. House Painter, Painting the wall, 2 days
3. Mural Artist painting the image, 2-3 days
4. Admin/Production support, 2 days
5. Canterbury Council Planning Consent £300- £500
Materials:
1. Scaffolding hire, 2 weeks
2. Paints, brushes, projection equipment, etc
3. Rewards for donors, prints, printed materials, etc
4. Social media promotion costs
Donor Rewards:
1. £200 - Framed print of Somerset Maugham
2. £125 - Unframed print of Somerset Maugham
3. £65 - Somerset Maugham T-shirt
4. £25 - Invite to the unveiling party
About Somerset Maugham.
Maugham, a literary genius who grew up in Whitstable, was world famous as an author of books, essays, plays and films in the first half of the 20th Century.
It's 100 years since the publication of his most famous works 'The Moon and Sixpence', so it's a fitting time to celebrate the great man and his connection to his home town.
Other famous works by Somerset Maugham include the semi-autobiographical 'Of Human Bondage' and 'Cakes and Ale' and directly refer to a town called 'Blackstable', understood to be a thinly disguised description of Whitstable.
In his personal life, Maugham was wild and unconventional; a libertine. He lived a 'party' lifestyle, mostly in the South of France, enjoying sexual relationships with both women and men.