Community-led art project aims to transform streets in the Groves
A new mural has been unveiled on the side of the Spar building in Lowther Street, bringing a large-scale piece of public art to the Groves and marking the start of a wider effort to brighten the neighbourhood.
The artwork, created by street artist Tom Sledmore (known professionally as SledOne), celebrates local character with images that reference the history of the area: a flat-cap-wearing fox, apples, historic buildings and the old Bile Beans advertisement that is familiar to many York residents. The project was funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and commissioned by charity Door 84.
“People love it,”
said a spokesperson for the Groves Association, which has been working with residents to improve the area. They added that the wall had been "a bit run down before" and praised the consultation process that helped shape the design.
Local volunteers and representatives said the mural is one element of an ongoing programme to make the Groves cleaner and safer. New planters are due to be installed in Lowther Street next week, and organisers also plan bunting and improved lighting to accompany the public art.
More murals planned and artists wanted
The Groves Association has secured funding for four more murals, but organisers are still seeking artists to produce them. One larger piece is planned beneath the cycle path on Huntington Road, with several smaller interventions proposed elsewhere in the Groves.
Organisers have made it clear they wish to blend professional standards with opportunities for emerging creatives. The Groves Association spokesperson said the smaller pieces could offer a route for less-established artists to build a portfolio by working with community payback and youth justice services.
- Project lead: Door 84 (commissioning body)
- Funded by: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority
- Artist responsible for unveiled mural: Tom Sledmore (SledOne)
- Number of further murals funded: four
Community partners emphasised the dual aims of the scheme: to improve the look of public space and to provide constructive activity that supports neighbourhood cohesion. Residents who spoke with organisers said the visible improvements had already helped reduce low-level anti-social behaviour in some parts of the Groves.
| Planned murals | Known location(s) |
|---|---|
| Unveiled | Lowther Street (side of Spar building) |
| Planned | Under cycle path, Huntington Road; smaller sites across the Groves |
Opportunities for emerging artists and community involvement
Those organising the work say the smaller commissions are intended as a chance for artists who have not previously painted public murals to demonstrate their skills in York. They stressed that while quality and professionalism are required, these projects are considered stepping stones for newer artists to gain recognition.
The involvement of community payback and youth justice services has been highlighted as a practical way to combine artistic development with social programmes. That approach aims to deliver multiple benefits: improving public spaces, offering training and accredited work experience, and engaging people who might otherwise be excluded from traditional routes into the creative sector.
The Groves Association and Door 84 are inviting expressions of interest from artists and groups who would like to be considered for the forthcoming commissions. Details of how to apply and the selection process have been handled by the commissioning body and funders.
For residents and visitors alike, the new Lowther Street mural provides a vivid reminder of how local partnerships can turn neglected surfaces into a source of civic pride and practical regeneration.
