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Amelia Earhart mural aiming to inspire next generation of high fliers

Paddy Leonard, 8 Jul

Pictured at the mural are: Amelia Earhart Legacy Association committee

members Caroline McGowan, Elaine Duffy and Eilish Quigley, .Donal

O'Doherty, Peaball Collective, Catherine O'Mullan, Director of

Curriculum and Academic Standards at NWRC, Conor McGurgan, Marketing

and PR manager NWRC, Erin Hutcheon, Senior Marketing and PR Officer

NWRC, Gillian Moss, Head of Client Services at NWRC, NWRC, and Amelia

Earhart Legacy Association committee members Maureen McGhee, Nicole

McElhinney and Sinead Hawkins.

A spectacular mural celebrating the work of the world’s most famous

female aviator, has been completed on the wall of North West Regional

College’s Foyle Building (NWRC).

Created by North Carolina street artist Jeks, in association with

Street Art Collective Peaball, the mural is so tall it can clearly be

seen from the Peace Bridge.

It features three separate images of aviatrix Amelia Earhart along with

a red iconic plane.

This week the mural has been visited by thousands of people who watched

over four days as the piece was created as part of the Get Up Street

Art festival which saw a number of new murals created in Derry during

the Foyle Maritime Festival.

Eilish Quigley from the Amelia Earhart Legacy Association committee

said the finished mural marks a new horizon being reached.

She added: “The mural is keeping the story of Amelia Earhart’s historic

landing in Derry 92 years ago alive and strengthens our connections

with Amelia's family and friends in her hometown, Atchison, Kansas.

“Her story continues to be a beautiful legacy and inspiration for

future generations.

“To quote Amelia : ‘I don’t see borders I only see horizons and

freedom.’”

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A post shared by Uplift Films (@upliftingfilms)

Dr. Catherine O’Mullan, Director of Curriculum and Academic Standards

at NWRC said: “This spectacular image which now adorns the wall of our

Foyle Building displays a powerful message. Amelia Earhart was a woman

gifted not only with genius but also qualities such as determination,

bravery and self-belief, virtues that we at NWRC strive to instil in

all our students.

“A pioneer of aviation we are proud as a college to be associated with

one of the greatest role models of the 20th century and inspire future

generations with her remarkable story.

“I would encourage local people and visitors to come to the college to

see the mural for themselves.”

Donal O’Doherty from the Peaball Street Art Collective who masterminded

the Get Up Street Art festival said: “The Amelia Earhart mural is part

of a collection of works created as part of the Get Up Street Art

Festival.

“It was created by World class artist Jeks and the fact that we brought

Jeks across the Atlantic to create this masterpiece adds an extra

dimension to the story. We are delighted with the finished product and

hope it’s enjoyed by everyone who sees it.”

[PRESS_PIC_NWRCEarhart03072411_2-1720430956988.jpg]

Pictured at the mural are: Amelia Earhart Legacy Association committee

member Elaine Duffy, Catherine O'Mullan, Director of Curriculum and

Academic Standards at NWRC, Gillian Moss, Head of Client Services at

NWRC, Donal O'Doherty, Peaball Collective. (Photos: Martin McKeown)

Amelia Earhart’s association with the North West began in 1932 during

her successful attempt to become the first female aviator to fly solo

across the Atlantic Ocean. On May 21, 1932 Amelia Earhart landed in

Gallagher’s field in Ballyarnett.

Despite staying only a day, almost 100 years later Amelia’s story is

still remembered across the city, and her image is now immortalised on

the estate of the city’s Further and Higher Education college.