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Artist wants mural on old cinema to convey 'hope'

Bev Rimmer
BBC News, Bedfordshire
Sarah Hodgkins The artist Sarah Hodgkins paints the façade of the former Luton ABC cinema. She has short blonde hair and is wearing a black, paint-splotched hoodie. She has a paintbrush in her right hand. There is a look of concentration on her face. The paintwork is red, gold and blue. Sarah Hodgkins
Sarah Hodgkins, who lives near Milton Keynes, paints the former ABC cinema

A mural artist who has repainted the Art Deco facade of an old cinema said her work aimed to convey a sense of hope, colour, and local culture.

Sarah Hodgkins spent 16 days transforming the exterior of the disused ABC on George Street, Luton.

She held an online survey to ask people what they wanted to see at the cinema, which closed in 2000.

"There were strong feelings of going back to the good old days. This is where people had their first dates and met friends. They wanted a sense of hope, that something was going to happen with the building at some point," she said.

Bev Rimmer/BBC The front of the old ABC Cinema in Luton. It has been repainted in Art Deco style, with a blue façade. "ABC CINEMA" is in gold capital letters. There is a "Blinded By The Light" film poster to the left. Several figures in old-style costumes are also wearing hats. Bev Rimmer/BBC
The former ABC cinema, now repainted with a mural, opened 87 years ago and was known as the Savoy

The lively mural features a Vauxhall car, an aeroplane, and a plethora of characters wearing hats - all of which relate to Luton's industries.

Ms Hodgkins added: "I appreciate the timing isn't great, with the recent closure of the Vauxhall factory, but such a lot of people in the town have a connection to it.

"The plane is a nod to Luton Airport, but keeps within the important Art Deco theme.

"Art Deco celebrates all the things that were new and exciting, as air travel would have been in the cinema's heyday."

Bev Rimmer/BBC A bright mural consisting of a city skyscraper background, an old-style red Vauxhall car in the foreground, and three ladies in old-style dress. The ladies are wearing hats. Bev Rimmer/BBC
A Vauxhall car flanked by women in hats pays tribute to Luton's industrial heritage

Another prominent feature of the mural is a painted billboard advertising Myles Smith and his single Stargazing.

The singer/songwriter's name came up repeatedly when Sarah was seeking inspiration from her public survey.

She said: "He embodies a symbol of hope. He was born and bred in Luton, and look what he's achieved internationally."

Artist brightens Luton’s historic ABC Cinema

The designs were reviewed by an independent panel made up of representatives from Luton Borough Council, Luton Arts and Culture Strategy Group, and Luton Heritage Forum.

It was funded through UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in collaboration with the council and the Step Forward Luton partnership.

James Taylor, a Labour member of Luton Borough Council with a responsibility for regeneration, said: "Sarah's vibrant mural has wonderfully transformed the cinema's frontage, giving the building a much-needed refresh while it awaits longer-term development.

"This is just one of many positive developments planned for the town centre that will help to ensure that investors and businesses see it as an area where people will enjoy living, visiting and working."

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