Underpass Mural

We are delighted to announce that we have been commissioned by ward councillors Cllr Lucy Bywater and Cllr Paul Edmonds, of Bedford Borough Council, to re-paint a mural on the subway/underpass between The Embankment and Aspects Leisure Park in Bedford town centre (what3words reference: gallons.punchy.nature).  

There is currently a mural on two walls that depicts a riverside scene (pictured below). The previous mural was painted by Bedford locals and while it has been loved and enjoyed for many years, it has now has started to fade away and has been vandalised in various areas. We aim to both revitalise and extend the existing mural.

We will commission a Bedfordshire-based artist to paint over the existing mural and extend a new design onto the ceiling, walls and entryways walls to the underpass which are currently painted white (pictured above).   

Through the painting of the mural, we hope to celebrate and shape the identity of Bedford Borough to create a positive sense of place, belonging & pride for its residents.

The mural will be painted with support from local volunteers recruited through the Bedfordshire Youth Offending Service to help them to have ownership of the mural. These young people will also have the chance to have some advance painting workshops to learn painting techniques.    

The painting will ideally take place in February 2025 (subject to weather and artist availability). 

The project is funded by Bedford Borough Council and BLCF as part of the Safer Bedfordshire Community Fund. Supported by Arts Council England.