Tag: North Street Gardens

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Art Of Protest Projects to mark Rowntree legacy with North Street Gardens mural

A sneak peek of Art Of Protest Project’s North Street Gardens mural in honour of the Rowntree family’s legacy

ART Of Protest Projects is creating a bold new mural in celebration of the life and legacy of the Rowntree family in York.

Work on the installation began on June 2 in North Street Gardens, one of York’s most central – yet sometimes overlooked – green spaces. 

York street art collective Art of Protest Projects is known for creating meaningful public art that connects people and place. The latest artwork marks the centenary of Joseph Rowntree’s passing and honours his lasting contributions to the city, particularly the gift of North Street Gardens by the Joseph Rowntree Village Trust in April 1959.

The mural has been commissioned by York BID [Business Improvement District] in partnership with York Cares, the City of York Council, Nestlé, Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Rowntree Society, supported by generous funding by Nestlé. 

The project will become part of the York Art Trail, launched by York BID in 2024 to enrich the city with public art that celebrates York’s culture, history and people.

Rowntree’s Chocolates: Picture copyright of Joseph Rowntree Foundation Heritage Library

York BID project manager Rachel Bean says: “This mural is a celebration of everything Joseph Rowntree stood for: community, education and innovation. North Street Gardens is a hidden gem in our city, and we’re excited to see it revitalised through this artwork. I’d like to sincerely thank the project partners for helping to bring this exciting and important project to life.”

The mural will re-imagine the space with a 46ft typography mural and imagery inspired by Rowntree’s values and legacy. The installation is part of a wider initiative to enhance the gardens that began with the York Cares Big Community Challenge last autumn.

Jeff Clark, of Art of Protest Projects, says: “We are excited to be working on this project to help tell the Rowntree’s story through art. We hope the mural invites people to pause, explore and connect with the deeper history and purpose behind North Street Gardens.”

Leanne Cooper, market procurement manager at Nestlé UK and Ireland, says: “We are so pleased to be part of this project that honours the work of Joseph Rowntree and the profound impact he had on the place that Nestlé Confectionery calls its home: York.

“Our communities are what make Nestlé what it is, and we hope that this vibrant mural will bring joy to those who pass by. We are very proud to have supported this project and the vitality of North Street Gardens.”

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York BID, York Cares & council Eco Team’s Big Community Challenge with York College students boosts gardens with murals

A job well done: the new murals in North Street Gardens, York

THE transformative mural project in North Street Gardens, York, is complete.

In a collaboration between York BID (Business Improvement District), York Cares and City of York Council’s Eco Team, the project has seen the installation of vibrant murals designed and painted by BA Graphic and Communication Design students from York College & University Centre.

Part of the 16th annual York Cares Big Community Challenge that ran from September 16 to today, the murals aim to breathe new life into the flood defence barriers, which had become heavily graffitied. 

Funded by the Nature Hubs Fund, the murals celebrate the history and evolution of North Street Gardens, while reflecting the values of the Big Community Challenge.

Before…

The murals feature bold, graphic designs, drawing inspiration from the plant life in the gardens and the shapes and patterns found in the nearby architecture.

The gardens, originally gifted to the city by Rowntree’s, have long served as a place of connection between nature and the community. It is now hoped the murals will bring this history to life by focusing on themes of environmental preservation and community spirit.

The York Cares Big Community Challenge is dedicated to changing landscapes through social and environmental initiatives. This year’s challenge saw more than 450 volunteers dedicating 1,362 hours of their time to improving green spaces.

The murals are a testament to this year’s focus on connecting people with nature, increasing biodiversity and fostering a sense of community. The murals also contribute to the growing York Mural Trail, an initiative by York BID to enhance the visitor experience by making the city’s public spaces more attractive and engaging.

After….One of the completed murals at North Street Gardens

Enthusing over the project, Rachel Bean, York BID’s project manager, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with York Cares, the City of York Council’s Eco Team and York College and University Centre on this meaningful project.

“We want to say a big thank-you to the students for their beautiful murals, that not only elevate the space but also create a lasting cultural asset for the city, connecting people with nature and their community.”

 Holly Hennell, manager at York Cares, said:“The students’ designs have perfectly captured the environmental focus of the Big Community Challenge, incorporating themes of biodiversity, nature and community connection. The murals add colour and life to the gardens, and we hope will encourage more people to enjoy this tranquil green space in the centre of York.”

Monica Gabb, course leader at York College and University Centre, said: “We have relished this opportunity for the students to bring their digital designs to life in a new scale and medium. Working directly with a live client from start to finish builds so many skills and relationships for our students.

Another completed mural at North Street Gardens

“What a fantastic portfolio piece for them. Thank you so much to York BID, York Cares and the Eco Team for their continued support and opportunity for our Level 5 students.”

Did you know?

NORTH Street Gardens, York, is undergoing a broader £6,000 rejuvenation to improve the space for public use and biodiversity.

Did you know too?

THIS year is the 16th York Cares Big Community Challenge. Over the past month, more than 450 volunteers from 16 employers and both universities [University of York and York St John University] have volunteered for 1,362 hours to change landscapes, connecting communities in the north, south, east and west of York through nature.

York Cares has hosted 48 volunteering sessions across 33 sites working with 28 partners. During the month, volunteers have weeded, dug, raked, scythed, built a pond dipping platform and boardwalk, picked litter, sown 6kg of wildflower seeds and planted 17,800 plants and bulbs to improve the sites.