Hackney Peace Mural - 40 Years In the Community!

Aim: Hackney Peace Mural - 40th Anniversary Celebrations - In the ’Spirit’ of Carnival through Creative Events - Engaging Our Wonderful Community

Celebrating 40 Years of the Hackney Peace Mural: A Community Crowdfunder

This crowdfunder aims to bring to life a programme of community events and creative activations celebrating the 40th anniversary of Dalston's iconic Peace Mural in Hackney. Discover how your support can help make this momentous occasion a reality!

Hello, my name is Roland Walker, and I am the son of Ray Walker, the visionary artist behind the Hackney Peace Carnival Mural in Dalston.

Designed by Ray Walker in 1983/84, the mural vividly captures the spirit of the 1983 Hackney Carnival and a peace demonstration held the same year. Tragically, Ray passed away suddenly from a heart attack before he could complete his masterpiece. In a loving tribute to his memory, his wife, Anna Walker, and close friend, Mick Jones, brought the mural to life in 1985, meticulously following Ray's original designs.

This year, we are proud to celebrate the mural's 40th anniversary.

Now recognised as an 'iconic' public artwork, the mural has graced the cover of Rudimental's ‘Home’ album and more recently appeared in the TV show ‘Mr Loverman’. It has truly become a beloved landmark in Hackney, a powerful symbol of community, peace, and unity, all expressed through the vibrant spirit of carnival.

To commemorate this significant anniversary, we are organising a weekend of events on 27th and 28th September 2025 at various locations near the mural site. Our goal is to embody the very 'spirit' of the mural through a diverse programme of arts, music, dance, and creative workshops. These interactive, fun, and family-friendly events are designed to excite and engage the entire community, reflecting the incredible vibrancy and energy of Dalston and Hackney. You can find more details about the activities we are fundraising for below.

The activities we are seeking your support for complement a wider programme of mural-related celebrations delivered by dedicated local friends, partners, and businesses. These include support from Hackney Council and Hackney Archives. Alongside Dalston Eastern Curve Garden whom have been hosting their own community craft workshops and will generously host some of our events.

Programme & Budget Breakdown for Funds Needed:

• Children's Art Workshops: Led by Paul & Linda Butler, who restored the mural in 2014, these workshops will be hosted in the Dalston Curve Garden. Cost: £325

• Historic Awareness Mural Talk, Poetry Group & Exhibition: Held at Hackney Archives. Cost: £200

• Musical Elements: Featuring original band members performing in front of the mural and within the Curve Garden, a Carnival Steel Band & DJs located outside (location TBC) within the neighbourhood, and an After Party at the Earth Venue (ticketed event to cover venue & music artist costs) in Dalston with notable local Hackney DJs & Musicians. Cost: £7,000

• Promotion: Cost: £1,000

• Photography Coverage: Cost: £500

• Security: For the street party element held on Sunday, 28th September (Location TBC). Cost: £475

• Contingency: Cost: £500

• Morning Meditation for Peace: By donation on the day.

• Local Venues & Businesses: Will hold their own mural-related events throughout the weekend.

Total Crowdfunder Goal: £10,000

Funds Already Donated (outside of this crowdfunder):

• Educational & Creative Workshops: Delivered by Dalston Eastern Curve Garden for all ages. (£4,000 received from Hackney Council's Culture Grants)

• New Plaque: To commemorate and mark the anniversary. (£2,000 generously donated by Hackney Council)

Please note: If the fundraising target is not met, the event programme will be scaled down accordingly, but production will still proceed within budget. If the target is exceeded, surplus funds will be allocated towards additional exciting elements to enhance this creative and engaging community event, acknowledge the invaluable in-kind support from the organisational team, contribute to the Anna Walker Archive, and support future mural restoration efforts.

Information about charitable donations to The Association of Beck Road Residents:

Beck Road has been an historic artist community for over 40 years, where Ray Walker and his family resided. Beyond Beck Road is a creative-led organisation dedicated to delivering events and exhibitions within the borough of Hackney.

Donations are being managed by Melina Michael, a key member of The Arts & Events Committee for ABRR, a Commissioning Curator, Exhibition Organiser & Founder of @beyond.beckroad, and the Producer of the Hackney Peace Mural Event.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 28th July 2025 at 12:54pm