Fossato Lounge, Kenilworth: Created by Tim Robottom and the Kenilworth Centre
The Kenilworth mural was created by an intergenerational group of Kenilworth Centre volunteers and young people. Inspired by the history of the town, its connection to the countryside and the importance of community, it shows an older bear enjoying a hot chocolate with a baby bear against the backdrop of Kenilworth Castle lit up by the glow of fireworks. The bears reflect the intergenerational aspect of the group, as well as the strong café culture of the town, while the Kenilworth ivy trailing from the top right hand of the mural nods to the Greenway and the town’s official status as a Bee-Friendly town. Centering the piece is the famous Kenilworth Castle, reflecting the history of the town and the castle’s importance as a focus for town events – including the annual firework display.
Wood Street Car Park, Southam: Created by Ali Glover and Southam residents
A group of local residents came together at Galanos House to design the Southam mural, located at the Wood Street Car Park.
After an in-depth discussion with the group about what Southam meant to them, Ali Glover, the artist, meticulously researched the town to produce a mural that reflected the town’s past, present, and future. The friendly bear cub, splashing in the Holy Well, reflects the community spirit of the town, as well as its strong historical roots. Against a celebratory backdrop evoking the annual fireworks display and the Big Fire of 1741, the silhouettes of Southam landmarks rise to emphasise Southam’s resilience, its capacity for renewal, and its spirit of celebration. High above, a WWII plane reminds viewers of Southam’s role as an RAF training ground, while below, figures of residents run across the Bridge, demonstrating the thread of family and community which runs through the town. The deliberately layered piece blends ancient history with modern community life, reflecting Southam’s inclusive, vibrant identity.
The Pageant Gardens, Warwick: Created by Ali Glover and children at the Packmores Community Centre
The design for Warwick mural was inspired by the children attending the Core Success after-school tutoring sessions at the Packmores Community Centre, and ably brought to life by Ali Glover.
Following a hands-on session in which the children designed their own versions of a mural on neon card, Ali brought together their ideas on what Warwick meant to them to form a design which felt kind, happy and above all, colourful. The friendly bear, reading on the swing, epitomises the playful feeling the children wished to capture, his book representing the wonderful learning and storytelling they do every day. A focus on nature was a priority for the group, and the rolling fields, colourful flowers, and flowing river, against the backdrop of the setting sun, give the piece a sense of calm and peace. Of course, it wouldn’t be Warwick without the castle seen in the background – and it can also be seen close by the mural’s location in the gardens!
Mayor’s Café, Bedworth: Created by Tim Robottom and the St. Michael’s Children’s Centre Cot Gossip Group
The central concept of the Bedworth mural was inspired both by its position in the Miners' Welfare Park, and by the little ones whose parents contributed ideas for the design: three bears having a teddy bear’s picnic in the park. There is no porridge for Goldilocks to steal here - instead the bears are tucking into honey and buns reminiscent of local bakeries and the town’s iconic Bun Day. They have clearly found a peaceful spot in a park bustling with activity, as bright awnings in the background call to mind the market and summer events. Bedworth’s history can be seen in the Almshouses basking in the sunshine, in the colliery wheel – and of course, in the sprinkling of poppies on the grass. The green setting calls to mind the Park’s place in the community as a space for families to come together, over food, playing football, or simply enjoying a beautiful spring day; and cements the image of Bedworth shared by the group: a place with a strong community, caring for each other, with respect for their past and hope for a bright future.
Coleshill Social Club: Created by Michelle Abrahall and Coleshill Residents
Situated on the side of the town centre Social Club, the Coleshill mural was conceived by a panel of local residents who have lived in the town for decades. Their starting point was the Social Club itself, its activities speaking to a community that has a wide range of interests and a wide range of opportunities, from bowling to dancing, and everything in between. Though the town has a long and rich past, the group wanted the mural to focus on today and the future, the bright colours showing the vibrancy of the town and the joyful events that take place on the Croft. A town of strong connections, reaching back to its time as a coaching town, it remains linked to the wider world, while retaining a strong sense of community and care for others. Each of the patches in the mural reference a different element of the town, with a fun challenge for viewers to work out the puzzle in each – from the elephant to the teapot (and of course, the hidden bear)!
Rugby North Street: Created by Jessi Hartshorn and Tea Leaf Tales
North Street’s piece was created by Tea Leaf Tales, a drama group for young adults with learning disabilities. The joy in the piece is palpable, and demonstrates a vibrant town with plenty for all residents, from market stalls and green spaces, to karaoke and cake! The participants sketched their own ideas out on paper for Rugby-based artist and illustrator Jessi Hartshorn, including their favourite things to do in Rugby, and their favourite places to go. The mural’s location at North Street lent itself to the inclusion of a train, complementing the stonework on the front of the building, and reflecting the importance of the trainline to the town. The vibrant colours and busy scenery are designed to draw people in and encourage them to linger – see if you can spot Barry the bear!
Rugby Gas Street: Created by Jessi Hartshorn and the Hill Street Community Centre
Users of the Hill Street community centre came together to design this piece, with representatives from youth groups, exercise groups and community groups taking part. They took an abstract approach, inspired by the idea of the many connections and connectors in Rugby, from literal road and rail to community and nature. With representations of festivals, radio, green space, schools, and wildlife, the flowing lines and bright colours reflect the changing palettes of the town. The piece is designed to make you think – about the town, what it means, and who its people are.
The Fox at Loxley: Created by Michelle Abrahall and the Loxley Community
The Fox at Loxley is a community pub – owned and run by the community itself. Their mural reflects its home in the heart of a rural community, with plants, fields, and wildlife nestled beneath the outline of the town’s church and celebratory bunting. The apple tree represents the wassailing tradition of the village, and its connection to the cycles of the seasons, with calming colours to blend seamlessly with the timeless palette of the pub itself. The choice of a fox to encompass the piece is a clear nod to the pub, but foxes can also symbolise adaptability, resilience and playfulness: all characteristics that can describe the village. This is a piece that invites you to look closer to discover the hidden details – including the bear, who is there for those who look!
Newtown Centre, Nuneaton: Created by Katie O and Caldwell Lodge
Nuneaton is a town with a strong sense of history and the residents of Caldwell Lodge who designed the piece felt it was important to reflect this at a time when so much is changing in the town. They shared memories of Di Mascio’s red and cream ice cream van, dancing at the Co-Op Club, and sunny days in Riversley Park, with boats on the river and bands playing for passers-by. The mural reflects these elements of daily life, also bringing in the manufacturing and mining heritage of the town in the pit wheels fading into the background. Framed by a bear in the back, and an array of colourful spring flowers in the foreground, this spring-inspired mural showcases the life and community spirit of the town.
Anker Bridge Nursery, Polesworth: Created by Katie O and the Polesworth Partnership
The Polesworth Partnership came together to design this piece, with representatives from local businesses, the library, parish councils and community groups. They wanted their piece to feel like a welcome to Polesworth, celebrating the village’s rich past and highlighting its future, with the canal as the connection between the two. The vibrancy of the mural reflects the vibrancy of the village, a place “where things happen”. The sepia tones of old Polesworth depict the Abbey, the natural world, and the peace of the canal, bursting into the colour of the festivals and community events of the present day. The result is a piece which centres the village in nature, recognising what it was then, is now, and can be in the future – a place with community at its heart, no matter what changes the years have brought.
