Local shopping centre funds and stages inclusive street-art sessions
Yate Shopping Centre will welcome a burst of colour and creativity next week when Bristol-based Graft Community CIC runs a free graffiti name-board workshop for families and passers-by. The session, scheduled for Tuesday 11 August, forms part of the centre’s summer events programme and includes a donation from the centre to support Graft’s wider work in the region.
Graft, a non-profit group founded by mural artists Rob and Sophie Wheeler, is known for producing collaborative public art across Bristol and the surrounding area. The organisation works with schools, disability groups and charities to deliver accessible creative projects that highlight local history, identity and environment.
- What: Free graffiti name-board workshop
- Who: Graft Community CIC (Rob and Sophie Wheeler)
- When: Tuesday 11 August
- Where: Yate Shopping Centre
- Cost: Free; shopping centre making a donation to Graft
For many residents, the session offers a low-barrier way to try street art techniques under the guidance of experienced muralists. Graft’s projects across Bristol — including work in Avonmouth, Barton Hill, Lockleaze and Hartcliffe — have often focused on bringing marginalised voices into the public realm and producing art that the community recognises and values.
“Graft specialises in collaborative mural projects and public art, working with underserved communities to celebrate local history, identity, and environment through creative workshops and installations.”
The centre’s decision to host the workshop and to provide financial support aligns with a wider trend among retail hubs to use cultural activity as a way of encouraging footfall while offering free, family-friendly programming. For parents and carers in Yate, the event will provide a practical, hands-on activity that can be enjoyed during a shopping trip or as an afternoon outing.
Local arts practitioners and community groups have welcomed initiatives that make creative practice accessible. Graft’s emphasis on inclusive sessions means the workshop should be suitable for a broad range of participants, including young people and disability groups who may not always have easy access to arts activities.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Graft Community CIC |
| Founders | Rob and Sophie Wheeler |
| Location | Yate Shopping Centre |
| Activity | Graffiti name-board workshop (free) |
| Wider reach | Works with schools, disability groups and charities |
Community arts events such as this can have tangible local benefits beyond the immediate enjoyment they provide. They offer young people a constructive way to experiment with visual language, provide opportunities for skill-sharing between professional artists and residents, and can lead to longer-term collaborations that enhance a town’s public spaces.
For the shopping centre, hosting cultural activities is also a way to diversify its offer amid changing retail patterns. Free workshops and family events are increasingly used by centres to encourage visits and foster a sense of place that goes beyond shops and services.
Residents who plan to attend should check the shopping centre’s local notices or social media for any timing updates on the day. The Graft team has a track record of running accessible sessions, and the centre’s donation will help sustain similar creative work across Bristol and neighbouring communities.
As Yate continues to develop its town centre offer, small events like this one can make a meaningful difference — offering a space where creativity, inclusion and community intersect in full public view.
