Artbox – transforming everyday street furniture into works of art
A new public art initiative has been launched in Newcastle-under-Lyme in a bid to transform the town’s streets with vibrant, artistic designs.
‘Artbox’ is a project which has been funded by Newcastle-under-Lyme BID and see’s 10 artists using every day BT boxes and electric cabinets as canvasses.
Artbox is being delivered in collaboration with Graphic Artist & Muralist, Rob Fenton, with contributions from talented artists from the local area and further afield.
Artbox aims to beautify public spaces by adorning utility boxes and other street fixtures with unique, eye-catching designs. The initiative aims to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the town, and also to support the local arts community by providing a platform for artists to showcase their work.
The initial phase of Artbox in Newcastle-under-Lyme will see the installation of stunning artwork throughout the town with plans to expand into the wider Borough in the future.
Rob Fenton, Project Lead and one of the artists for ArtBox emphasised the importance of accessible art in urban environments: “The Artbox project immediately connects with other public art in any area but allows a much quicker approach to delivery than a large-scale gable-end mural, for example. Once a series of street furniture has been created, it can assist in transforming an area completely.
“Through years of research, we have found that it is clearly evident from similar projects conducted by other mural programmes from around the world, that there are incredible social gains for any community from public artwork. After years of managing mural projects, we continue to use the knowledge we’ve gained by not only changing our physical landscapes but also assisting in changing the narrative across communities. We do this by producing new works of art, injecting local pride that in turn will raise aspirations through quality in the form of vibrant murals.”
Emily Bratby, is an artist involved in the campaign who’s design can be seen in Fogg Street. Emily said: “Being involved in this project was a fantastic experience. I love painting to unwind so being able to do it whilst adding a burst of colour to the town was fab.
“It was an honour to work with the BID for my first-ever public and large-scale piece and painting alongside such talented artists was truly inspiring. The feedback I had whilst I was working on it was so positive and everyone was looking forward to seeing what the other artists had in store for Newcastle.“
Charl Pearce, BID Manager for Newcastle-under-Lyme, expressed her excitement about the project: “We really are delighted to launch Artbox project in collaboration with Rob Fenton. There are so many benefits to a project like this. When we decorate our streets it fosters a sense of pride in our communities, which in turn discourages anti-social behaviour like littering and graffiti in the immediate area. The work delivered by the artists so far are stunning and we’ve had such great feedback from the community.”
Artbox as a project is part of a broader initiative that sees Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID deliver a similar campaign alongside local artists and community groups. The wider Artbox campaign highlights the region’s commitment to promoting public art and supporting local talent.
Businesses and sponsors interested in participating in the Artbox project are encouraged to contact the Newcastle-under-Lyme BID team for more information on how to get involved.
You can follow Artbox on Instagram @artbox_murals as well as keep up to date on Newcastle based news over @newcastlebid
