Stourbridge Music Map reprint to raise money for young performers
First printed last summer, the Stourbridge Music Map depicts iconic Stourbridge music venues, both current and historic, such as The Mitre, Town Hall and Katie Fitzgerald’s. Rehearsal spaces such as Base Studios on Rufford Road and the now-demolished ‘Ice House’ are also featured on the map.
An initial run of 1,000 copies of the artwork was printed and distributed around Stourbridge town centre. Now, Stourbridge-based illustrator Stacy Hammond has produced a larger print of the map, which will be available for sale at 6pm today (March 13), on her website. The prints will be on sale for £50, with £20 from each purchase being donated to Dudley Performing Arts (DPA). A limited-edition run of 250 maps will be printed, meaning DPA will receive a total of £5,000 if all of the copies sell.
Stacy said: “I’ve been thrilled by the response to the Music Map and the way people have shared their memories and connections to Stourbridge’s music scene – so much so that many have asked for a larger version to frame at home. Creating this limited-edition print means we can celebrate that pride while keeping the giving spirit of the original free map alive by supporting a local music-based organisation.”
The Stourbridge Music Map was initially commissioned by Cllr Andrew Tromans, who represents Wollaston and Stourbridge Town, as a ‘gift to his hometown’. The project also received funding from PreMetro Operations, who run the Stourbridge Shuttle rail service, local businessman David Sheppard, and Direct2Print who are based on Foster Street.
Cllr Tromans said: “I am thrilled to be working with Stacy again, who I believe to be the Black Country’s finest cartographer. The vision for the map was always for it to celebrate the Stourbridge scene in its heyday, but also to benefit young musicians. We are grateful to DPA for their assistance and for the interest in the project from the wider community.”
Record stores, music shops, pubs playing live music, as well as venues which have since closed, are all represented on the music scene map. The recently installed murals celebrating bands from the ‘Stourbridge Scene’, such as The Wonder Stuff, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and Pop Will Eat Itself, have also been incorporated into Stacy’s design.
Stacy is well known for her detailed illustrations of maps and landmarks across the Black Country, sharing the stories and memories attached to these places. Her art is inspired by Stourbridge and its incredible community, and she is passionate about celebrating what the town means to so many people. Recently, Stacy collaborated with another local artist, Cal, to produce the Stourbridge Art Map in the Crown Centre.
