Credit: Akse P19. The original image the design is based on belongs to the LNWR Society.
The artwork (named ‘Making Crewe’) has been completed by renowned street artist Akse P19, who based his street art design upon a historic image taken in 1913 of the Iron Bridge and Chester Line that would have been in the same location 112 years ago. The mural has been created on the side of the Crewe Town Council building on Forge Street and is the fourth public art commission for the Crewe Art Trail.
Akse P19 has been painting murals since 1992 and has specialised in photorealistic portraits for the last 15 years.
The Crewe Art Trail officially launched in February of this year, with an activity-packed programme of free community events based on the new artworks featured in the Art Trail. The activities enabled people to meet the artists, learn new skills, develop creative confidence and have fun! Akse P19 hosted mural design workshops as part of the launch event to share his expertise and inspire the local community to develop their street art skills.
New permanent Crewe Art Trail commissions
Four new artworks were commissioned for the Crewe Art Trail from artists across the UK:
‘Re-Making Crewe’ colourful ‘Peace Patterns’ mural (2024) on High Street created by Liverpudlian artist Cherie Grist and co-designed with Crewe’s young people. Cherie uses a ‘peace pattern process’ that creates an interesting geometric pattern which, once drawn, can be coloured, collaged or painted. The results are unique and fun and can be incorporated together to create the larger artwork. The creation of this artwork gave local young people the opportunities to develop creative skills and practices through contact with this renowned artist.
‘Stitching Together: Women of Crewe’ embroidered duster artwork installation (2024) is a co-created textiles commission facilitated by Vanessa Marr and created by the women of Crewe. Vanessa Marr is a textiles artist and founder of the award-winning Domestic Dusters project, which explores perspectives on the lives of women. Women from across the world have submitted hundreds of embroidered cloths to the ongoing initiative already and each one is unique and hand-stitched, transforming it from a cleaning cloth into a voice for women today. The commission was on display at Crewe Library and recently went on tour to the Crewe Women’s Day event, before it is established at its permanent destination at Crewe Heritage Centre.
‘We Make Crewe’ ceramic mural (2025) located on the side of the Market Shopping Centre, created by Carrie Reichardt with contributions from the Crewe community and local organisations. Carrie specialises in giving original twists to vintage patterned crockery by re-firing them with extra layers of images and designs to make something new. Carrie uses local archival sources to explore hidden histories and describes her work as a form of ‘ceramic tapestry’ weaving local people and their histories together.
‘Making Crewe’ photorealistic street art mural (2025) by Akse P19, located on the Crewe Town Council Building, is based on a historic image of the same location 112 years ago. The image features the view of the Iron Bridge and Chester line in 1913 on the day of the royal visit. Akse P19 uses a grid system to translate his design onto the building.
A spokesperson for Crewe Town Council said:
“We are delighted to feature the work of Akse P19 in the trail alongside other renowned artists. The mural design developed by the artist in consultation with local people, including the Heritage Group, pays tribute to Crewe’s heritage while giving passers by a window into the past.”
The Crewe Art Trail in numbers
- Over 90 members of the local community took part in over 30 consultation meetings, interviews and co-design workshops to develop a theme and principles
- 931 people took part in 27 workshops, activities and events throughout the project
- 260 free DIY embroidery kits given to participants for the Stitching Together Project
- 4 new permanent public artworks in Crewe Town Centre commissioned by artists from across the UK
- 177 volunteering opportunities created as part of the project
- 18 art works, projects, displays and exhibitions by local artists and organisations created featuring a diverse range of skills and mediums including sculpture, painting, photography, film, print making, collage, textiles and more!
The Crewe Art Trail
Crewe Town Council was awarded central government UKSPF funding to deliver an Arts Development Project and Art Trail between February 2024 and March 2025, consolidating the Town Council’s commitment to developing arts and culture within the town. The ‘Making Crewe’ street art mural is an extension by Crewe Town Council to the initial UKSPF funded project.
Centred around the theme Making Crewe, the Art Trail pays tribute to the town’s history of making, its prominent figures and also celebrates the communities who make Crewe what it is today. The trail is displayed in accessible locations throughout Crewe for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.
The Crewe Art Trail will lay the foundations required for future delivery of public art in Crewe and will contribute to the development of Crewe’s cultural scene.
Find out more about the Crewe Art Trail here:
www.crewetowncouncil.gov.uk/whats-on-events/crewe-arts-development-programme/
Credit: Peter Robinson.
