Community mural celebrates local heritage in Bow

As part of the regeneration of Stroudley Walk, we have been working with Poplar HARCA, Bow Arts and St Agnes Catholic Primary School to create a new public artwork in Botolph Passage.

The aim of the project is to create a colourful and inviting space and give ownership of the regenerated area to the local community through the input of local school students who use the passage to access their school entrance.

In November 2023, Bow Arts Artist Educator, Will Redgrove worked alongside our Senior Development Manager, Isabelle Asante, and Laura Lloyd of Bow Arts, to deliver a co-design workshop to year’s 5 and 6.

Inspired by the area’s significance to women’s rights, the workshop focussed on the theme of empowerment and standing up for what you believe in. The children undertook a site visit to the passage, describing how it made them feel in its current state.

Back in the classroom the children worked collaboratively to create a series of drawings and collages to incorporate into the early drafts of the mural and in the process, learnt about public art commissions in the process.

Following the workshops, Will collated the children’s work to create one cohesive design that would fit and flow through the space. With a team of muralists, Will hand painted the mural on the ground at Botolph passage.

Will Redgrove of Bow Arts said:

“I always love seeing the students’ exploration of historical events, some of these things are quite difficult to depict visually – but they did so well!”

“I hope the mural will have a positive impact on the way this alley is used. I know from having conversations with the residents that it used to feel unsafe late at night to walk down. Repositioning the walk in local residents minds, making it clearly an extension of the primary school, will hopefully alleviate some of those concerns and prevent people from mis-using the space.”

We are working in partnership with the Greater London Authority and Poplar HARCA to deliver a new neighbourhood for Stroudley Walk, in the vibrant London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Paul Dooley, Director of Development and Regeneration at Poplar HARCA said:

“This fantastic work in partnership with St Agnes Catholic Primary School highlights this commitment to ensuring local people are involved and engaged with the Stroudley Walk redevelopment at every stage.”

“Thanks to our partners Muse, Will Redgrove and Bow Arts for delivering this fantastic artwork, which looks great and creates a brighter, safer connection for local people.”

We’re creating 274 new homes ranging in size from one to four bedrooms, from studio apartments to four-bedroom, terraced family homes. There are also 82 homes available for London affordable rent, and 33 for shared ownership. All three- and four-bedroom homes will be delivered as London Affordable Rent for the families who need them most.

Tom Jackson, Senior Development Manager at Muse said:

“It’s transformed the passage outside the primary school into a brighter, more colourful space that brings a sense of pride to the community and makes it feel much safer and more welcoming for children and their parents.  It’s great to see how art can enhance our local environment in such a positive way.”