The Save the Valletta Skyline Appeal has designed new artwork to show Malta’s famed capital city with a Beating Heart skyline, launching a range of Christmas-ready products with the eye-catching design in collaboration with Mediterranean Ceramics.
Valletta joins a prestigious group of major cities across the globe each with its own iconic skyline outlined as a heartbeat. Valletta is our nation’s heartbeat, highlighting its importance to the nation’s citizens and visitors. This stunning design and artwork has been gifted to the appeal by renowned Irish designer and artist Kim Whyte (www.figgydoo.com). “The beautiful spire of St Paul’s Cathedral gives the Valletta skyline its distinctive heartbeat aesthetic,” explains Ms Whyte. “The addition of the open heart represents the ‘M’ for Malta, as well as the love its people have for their capital city.”
The fundraising initiative is the latest to support the Save the Valletta Skyline Appeal, which aims to raise the funds needed for vital restoration work to the tower, spire, and structure of St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral in Valletta – preserving the city’s iconic skyline for generations to come. One of Malta’s most beloved voluntary organisations, St John Malta, whose volunteers do so much to help citizens of these islands especially during times of emergency, will also be a beneficiary.
As well as a range of t-shirts and polo shirts featuring the new artwork, Mediterranean Ceramics is also creating items depicting it, with all profits from sales donated to the two nationally vital charities. Plus, with the cost of the t-shirt manufacture also covered by an anonymous donor, they will be set to benefit further with one hundred per cent of all proceeds split between them.
“I am so grateful to be involved in a project where all the elements come together so wonderfully,” says Kirsten Grenside, a member of the Malta Events (EAT) Committee of the Save the Valletta Skyline Appeal. “The art and design truly stand out and all the ceramics and clothing are of the highest quality. We are so happy to have a prestigious Maltese company with a long history like Mediterranean Ceramics involved in this initiative to support the Save the Valletta Skyline Appeal and St John Malta – two causes that are so important to our beautiful island.”
Established in 2008 by two brothers, David and Brian Grima, Mediterranean Ceramics specialises in the local craft of handmade customised ceramics, volcanic stone and lava stone products, as well as homeware in collaboration with interior and graphic designers.
“Mediterranean Ceramics’ vision has always been focused on reviving the craft of ceramic-making in Malta and promoting it as part of the Mediterranean cultural identity both locally and overseas,” explains David Grima. “It was a pleasure to work alongside Kirsten and her team to develop a bespoke range of premium ceramic homeware, in aid of the Save The Valletta Skyline Appeal. We look forward to further developing this custom collection and reviving the craft of ceramic-making in Malta, while promoting it worldwide.”
The launch of Valletta’s Beating Heart skyline products is just in time for Christmas. These ideal festive gifts are available at Mediterranean Ceramics outlets, WeAreNotAShop.com, and – for one day only on 16 December – at a pop-up shop at the Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana between 4 and 7pm.
The exclusive range is available online at www.wearenotashop.com. More information about the Save the Valletta Skyline Appeal can be found at www.stpaulspromalta.org/restoration/our-appeal/.
