Community Mural for Weeip Park Development
As an artist, I believe in the power of art to foster community identity and engagement. The Weeip Park Community Art Mural was a project designed to do just that—creating a vibrant landmark for the Weeip Park Youth Space while involving the young people of Midland to take part as active stakeholders in their own community.
To ensure the mural reflected the voices and experiences of the local youth, I conducted five youth engagement brainstorming sessions and a dedicated workshop. These sessions were designed to gather a diverse range of ideas and stories, ensuring the final artwork was both meaningful and representative of the community. Additionally, drawing on my experience as a YouTube creator, I developed a custom video to promote the project—meeting young people on a platform they use and identify with.
A major theme of the mural is connection—both in the literal sense of Midland’s role as a transport hub and in the way young people come together in shared spaces. The design features colourful squares and shapes that form a semi-realistic map of Midland, highlighting key locations such as schools and Midland Gate. These elements were designed to be accessible for all skill levels, allowing participants to contribute during six community painting days that I facilitated.
Complementing this dynamic map are personal stories and memories, expressed through realistic black-and-white imagery and accompanying text. These contributions, provided by individual young people, create a story trail that visitors can follow throughout the park. The result is a mural that not only enhances the space visually but also serves as a testament to the significance of creative arts in building community and offering young people a sense of belonging and purpose.
This project exemplifies the role of art in shaping public spaces, fostering engagement, and demonstrating to the youth of Midland that creativity is a powerful tool for storytelling, connection, and professional opportunity. I am honoured to have been part of this initiative, and I look forward to seeing the impact it will continue to have on the community.
