Welcome to Paisley – Completed mural heralds new arrival at Gilmour Street

Paisley’s vibrant art scene has welcomed a new arrival to the town with the completion of a Paisley First mural inside the town’s main train station.

L-R – Artist Sandy Guy with Heather Collins, ScotRail Alliance’s Station Manager for Paisley, Paisley First Chairman Ian Henderson and artist Caroline Gormley

Paisley First, with the support of the Scotrail Alliance, commissioned local artist Caroline Gormley to produce an artwork for a wall on the corridor to Platforms 1 to 4 in Paisley Gilmour Street Railway Station.

Commuters and visitors to the town have been amazed as they watched the transformation during the summer as Caroline and co-artist Sandy Guy worked tirelessly on the wall.

The talented duo have painted iconic people, places and historic moments from the town’s past – everything from a mill girl, a burning witch and Gerry Rafferty to Fulton Mackay, the Russell Institute and the Hillman Imp car.

Braveheart William Wallace and Caroline’s previous Buddie artwork are also highlighted.

Paisley First Chairman Ian Henderson said: “More than four million passengers pass through Gilmour Street, the town’s largest railway station, every year.”

“Caroline and Sandy’s hard work has had visitors to the town captivated as they watched it develop day by day.”

“The finished work is amazing and it’s a great way to tell Paisley’s story while providing a warm Paisley welcome for people using the station from near and far.”

The project came to fruition thanks to the support of station managers, the ScotRail Alliance.

Heather Collins, the ScotRail Alliance’s Station Manager for Paisley, said: “The station team at Paisley, along with myself and all the train crews who pass through, love this mural.

“It brings Paisley’s heritage and famous residents to life and tells the town’s story to the many rail travellers who use the station every year. Well done to Caroline and Sandy.”

Artist Caroline Gormley, who completed the work with co-artist Sandy Guy, said: “First port of call is getting on the train that brings you to Gilmour Street station, the gateway to Paisley and its vibrant culture, which will definitely give you something to write home about.”

“It’s a celebration of Paisley people, their vision, enthusiasm, positivity, determination, humour and hard work.”

“Paisley wouldn’t have heritage if it wasn’t for the people of the town, this has been the case throughout our history and it continues today.”

“The use of the postcard was to add an element of humour, also the postcard may be seen as a thing of the past when it comes to communication but people have to look to their past in order to create a better, brighter future.”