They were given a blank canvas - but what budding artists at a popular community fair created by the end of the weekend proved to be quite impressive.
A large paintable mural, measuring 6ft x 32ft, started the weekend of the Childwickbury Arts Fair as a blank canvas, with only the outline of a seaside scene in black and white.
Visitors to the annual event at the Childwickbury Estate, in Harpenden Road, St Albans were then asked to colour in the painting using paints from a bright palette of acrylic colours.
As the weekend progressed and, with more than 1,000 visitors to the fair, the giant mural came to life – the last contributors painting right up until the fair closed a few days later.
The giant mural was the idea of Kathy Evershed of ArtShed!, a nearby company which runs art-based after-school classes, parties and holiday camps for school children.
She also runs classes for adults and the giant mural at Childwickbury offered the chance for adults and older children to get stuck into a really large painting.
The event proved a huge success, with some members of the public spending several hours working on adding in colourful detail to the many houses, flowers and boats.
Contributors came from all walks of life and included university students, retired professionals and even the site security guards.
Speaking about the weekend, Ms Evershed said: “This was one of the best activities I’ve had the privilege of participating in.
“Art activities are usually associated with children, so it was fantastic to see so many adults all painting together.
“People made all sorts of colour choices that I would never have made – but it worked.”
The end result was a huge and beautiful, colourful mural and hundreds of visitors to the fair between Friday, June 30 and Sunday, July 2.
However there is now a debate about what to do with the giant piece of artwork.
If you have any ideas, contact Ms Evershed by visiting www.shedloadsoffun.com or going on Facebook and Twitter @shedloadsoffun
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