MARC Craig’s Ark of Extinction aims to use striking murals and creative projects to galvanise local pride around critically endangered animals, fostering a global movement to protect our planet.

Each mural will feature an animal identified as being at risk in the country where the artwork will be painted. Countries including Ireland, Wales, and the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are all earmarked for their own murals to be painted by Marc.

Marc said: I wanted to create a project that engages people on both local and global levels, so I came up with the idea to create a mural featuring an endangered species in every country and every state of the US. It is important to me that I involve all the community in the collaboration.’

Redruth’s mural is set to be a Red Squirrel, a species that was once widespread throughout the UK but has suffered due to the introduction of the invasive Grey Squirrel in 1876. The Red Squirrel has been extinct in Cornwall since 1984, with the closest wild Red Squirrels being located on Tresco, Isles of Scilly.

The two-story mural will be painted on the Alcove wall of Market Strand, which is fast becoming a thoroughfare of activity linking the Buttermarket and Market Way retail outlets with the rest of the town.

Redruth’s mayor Cllr Stephen Barnes said: “The Ark of Extinction is an amazing opportunity for Redruth to be a part of a global project. Thank you, Brandon Hire Station, for providing us with the essential equipment to help Marc bring his artwork to life. How excited people will be to see a 10-foot squirrel on the wall outside of Market Way.

“With the success of projects like Krowji and the Buttermarket, Redruth is becoming the beating heart of contemporary Cornish Culture.’

The mural is set to be unveiled just after 10am on Saturday, March 1 at Redruth’s St Piran’s Festival. In addition to the mural, there will be a Red Squirrel Trail running throughout the town. The artworks for this will be created by a selection of local artists and schools, with disciplines from pottery, to fine art, to creations made from unrecyclable materials being showcased.

Redruth’s St Piran’s Festival will also feature a Cornish-themed market, street food, and entertainment throughout the day. The traditional parade will start from Lemin’s Court at 11am and finish outside the Regal Cinema with the Trelawny Shout at midday.

The Redruth Civic Centre is hosting a new exhibition called Rise Up which celebrates endangered languages throughout Europe and will focus on Cornish/Kernewek in Redruth.