This International Women’s Day, Harlequin Watford Shopping Centre will reveal a specially commissioned 36m² mural of Kelly Smith, created by artist collective, MurWalls.
The mural will be a permanent tribute to her sporting achievements in her beloved hometown and will be unveiled by Kelly Smith at 1pm on the upper mall, on Sunday 8 March.
The artwork is a testament to Kelly’s enduring impact on women’s football and celebrates her as a role model for future generations. The design is based on a photograph taken by Arsenal’s long-standing Head of Photography, David Price – who has known Kelly for many years.
Watford born and bred, Kelly began her footballing journey with Garston Boys team – a local grassroots club still running today. Her footballing talent has since seen her play in the United States, as well as famously representing Arsenal where she played in their quadruple winning season in 2006/07. Kelly’s illustrious England career spanned 117 appearances and saw her net an incredible 47 goals; she is widely recognised as one of England’s greatest ever players.
The MurWalls lead artist on Kelly’s mural is Mr. Meana who also grew up in Watford and played youth football for Garston Boys, bringing a deeply personal connection to this tribute. MurWalls is an internationally recognised mural and public art crew. Having previously created artistic tributes to Sir Elton John and Ed Sheeran, they are committed to celebrating local legends through powerful, place-led storytelling.
Simon Plumb, Centre Director at Harlequin said: “Kelly Smith is an outstanding role model for girls and young women all over the country, and we wanted to recognise her in her hometown of Watford. This Harlequin commissioned tribute brings our local community together and creates a sense of pride and inspiration. It is also testament to what can be achieved with talent, dedication, and perseverance. The mural is a permanent tribute to Kelly’s legacy and we can’t wait to welcome people to the centre to see it for themselves.”
Kelly Smith added, “It’s surreal to see myself on the wall of Harlequin shopping centre but I’m honoured to have my footballing achievements celebrated in this way. Thank you to everyone who has brought this commission to life on my behalf, and to everyone who helped me make my dream of becoming a professional footballer a reality. The unveiling of this mural in Watford, a place I’m proud to come from, is a special day for me, and I’m so happy to be able to share it with my family and friends.”
