Kettering in Colour!

The artwork aims to:

• brighten the town centre
• spark conversation and interest
• inspire local pride
• highlight historical and cultural points of interest

The electricity box will be painted with a bold and expressive statement piece celebrating pride in the town and the strength of its community.

Railings brought to life with a large-scale illustrated landscape of Kettering highlighting well-known landmarks, local history, and references to the town’s small business community

1. Poppies

Kettering Town Football Club, affectionately nicknamed 'The Poppies', were originally founded in 1872 and have scored more goals in the FA Cup than any other club

2. Boot and shoe industry

Kettering was at the heart of the boot and shoe industry, with the first shoe manufacturer opening in 1777. Kettering-based SATRA designed the boots worn by Sir Edmund Hillary who, alongside Tenzing Norgay, was the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest

3. Fuller Baptist Church

Named after Andrew Fuller, who helped to create the Baptist Missionary Society, this Grade II listed church has stood on Gold Street since 1861, with its history going back to the 1700s

4. Newlands Shopping Centre

Originally named the Newborough Centre, Kettering’s indoor shopping centre was built in 1977

5. Toller United Reformed Church

Originally named 'The Great Meeting', this church has stood on Gold Street (then known as Bakehouse Hill) since 1723. It was the first church to be built in Kettering since the Parish Church of St.Peter and St.Paul

6. Rotary International Clock

Measuring 27 feet tall, the clock was commissioned in 2005 by Kettering Huxloe and the Rotary Clubs of Kettering to celebrate 100 years of the Rotary Club International

7. Doc Martens

Doc Martens is one of the most recognisable footwear brands in the world, and it all began in neighbouring Wollaston in 1901

8. The Royal Hotel

After a visit by Queen Victoria in 1844, 'The White Hart' inn was renamed in her honour. Now a Grade II listed building, a hotel has operated on this site for over 200 years. Another famous guest was Charles Dickens

9. Wicksteed Park

One of the oldest theme parks in the country, Wicksteed Park was opened by engineer and entrepreneur Charles Wicksteed in 1921. His company remains the leading manufacturer of outdoor playground equipment in the UK, providing playgrounds to children across the world

10. Former Gala Bingo

Starting as the Regal Cinema in 1936, this art deco building was also a popular music venue, hosting familiar names such as Vera Lynn, the Who, and The Rolling Stones

11. Robinson Car

Designed and built by Charles Robinson in 1907 and one of the town’s first cars, it was made for a local doctor. Instead of back seats, a platform was installed on which the doctor could perform surgeries. The car is now part of Manor House Museum’s collection

12. Natwest building

Grade II listed and built in 1901

13. HSBC building

Designed by John Alfred Gotch – the Kettering Architect responsible for many other buildings in Kettering, including Alfred East Gallery

14. Kino Lounge / The Corn Exchange

Built in 1854, the Corn Exchange became Kettering’s first cinema - ‘Vint’s Electric Palace’ opened in 1903. It was subsequently renamed the Palace Theatre, then the Hippodrome Cinema. Did you know the word ‘Kino’ is German for ‘Cinema’?

15. St. Peter and St. Paul Church

Grade I Listed and one of the oldest buildings in Kettering. It has been on the site for over 500 years and the tower and spire are visible from miles around

16. Manor House Museum

A 'noble hall' has stood on this site for almost 800 years, and the land itself was recorded in the Domesday Book. The existing manor house has elements that are over 500 years old. Grade II listed, it has been home to the town’s museum since 1989

17. Alfred East Monument

This Grade II listed monument, installed in 1913 outside the gallery that bears the artist’s name, was made by Sir George Frampton, a renowned sculptor who also created the lions outside The British Museum in London and the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens

18. Kettering Library

The town’s library first opened in 1904. Made possible by a gift of £8,500 by Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist. It is one of over 2,000 'Carnegie Libraries' dotted around the world and is now Grade II listed

19. Alfred East Gallery

The only purpose-built public art gallery in the county and home to Kettering’s diverse art collection. Built in 1913 and now Grade II listed, it is named after local artist Sir Alfred East - 'the greatest living landscape painter' of his era

20. Faraday Fountain

Found within Manor House Gardens in Cornerstone, this fountain was unveiled in 1931. Kettering was an early adopter of electricity, and the fountain celebrates the work of Michael Faraday’s work with electromagnetism

Marvin Mudzongo, founder of Lemonpop Workshops, has digitally illustrated the vibrant view of Kettering.

Marvin is a multifaceted spiritual entity with a visionary outlook and expressive nature. He employs various creative avenues, including spoken word, poetry, music, graphic design, and illustration, to express himself and explore his discoveries. Marvin embarks on an introspective journey through visual art, utilising imagination as a tool for self-development or spiritual enlightenment.

He offers therapeutic art workshops through Lemonpop Workshops, providing self-development arts programmes that adhere to the philosophy that art principles are pivotal to healing and well-being. These programmes concentrate on challenging executive functioning skills, enhancing self-esteem, and stimulating creativity and imagination

Katie has designed and painted the electricity box at the site. She is a children’s author, freelance illustrator, and educator who lives and works in Kettering. Katie also teaches illustration in Northampton, where she supports emerging creative students in developing their skills. Katie earned an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art.

Katie’s books for children include the non-fiction title Gut Garden, which explores the fascinating world of the gut microbiome, and the picture book Keith Among the Pigeons, a story about an orange cat, identity and belonging. Both titles have been published internationally, translated into several languages, and are widely available in the UK