Populo Living 1250-metre Art Trail
Before & After
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Transforming Stratford Through Creativity: The Populo Living Art Trail
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Partners: Co-Creative Connection (CCC), Populo Living
Location: Carpenters Estate, Stratford
Date: 2024
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The Vision
The Populo Living Art Trail is a transformative project that redefines public spaces in Stratford by fostering creativity, connection, and community pride. Building on the success of the 2023 Populo Living mural, this initiative sought to scale up these values, creating vibrant, interactive environments that engage residents of all ages. By directly involving the community in the design and creation process, the trail aims to celebrate collective creativity, enhance shared spaces, and leave a lasting legacy of joy, collaboration, and inclusivity in Stratford.
The Journey
Community-Driven Design: Inspired by community input gathered during the 2023 Populo Living mural project, CCC’s founder, Rose Hill, reimagined these designs for the 2024 Art Trail, expanding them into larger, vibrant pieces that reflect the spirit and aspirations of Stratford.
Bringing the Art Trail to Life: Volunteers, local participants, and paid artists came together to hand-paint two 34-metre murals, create a 25-square-metre interactive floor piece, and install colourful planters and play features. Over 1300 boot prints linked every element, transforming Stratford into a vibrant, interactive art trail full of creativity and connection.
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Populo Living 1250-metre Art Trail
"I had the pleasure of experiencing the community mural project in Newham with Rose Hill, it was truly a celebration of the local culture and community there. Each design told a personal story, and you could feel the voices and hearts of the community through the bold, colorful artwork. The vibrancy of the murals brought the rich cultural tapestry of the residents ato life, making it not just an art project but a reflection of the people who call this place home." - Emily Cinnamon, Project Participant
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The Impact
The Populo Living Art Trail has redefined Stratford’s public spaces, transforming them into vibrant hubs of connection, creativity, and joy. The murals and interactive elements invite people of all ages to engage, whether hopping along the alphabet ladder, exploring the colourful boot-print trail, or admiring the community-inspired designs.
For the local community, this project has fostered a sense of pride and belonging, turning overlooked spaces into celebrated landmarks. Volunteers and participants walked away with new skills, stronger connections, and the knowledge that their efforts created something truly extraordinary.
The trail stands as a lasting testament to the power of collaboration, showing how creativity can unite a community and leave a meaningful legacy.
"Every day when I leave my flat in Carpenters Estate, E15, I am delighted by the stunning artwork created by Rose and her team on the sidewall. The vibrant and beautiful designs have truly transformed the area. I was so impressed that I offered to help, and Rose warmly welcomed my support. That day, I not only contributed to the artwork but also found a few wonderful friends . Her creativity and community spirit are truly inspiring. I highly recommend Rose and her team for any art projects—they bring joy and beauty to the neighborhood!" - Mohammad Hosseini Naei, Project Participant
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What Our Partners and Participants Had To Say
Clare, Populo Living
T.K, Project Participant
About The Design
The Populo Living Art Trail is a 1250-metre celebration of community creativity, transforming Stratford’s public spaces into vibrant hubs of colour, connection, and play. Building on the designs from our 2023 mural project, this trail reimagines walls, floors, and everyday objects into interactive artworks that inspire joy and unity. Each element tells a story of collaboration, showcasing the power of art to bring people together and reimagine shared spaces.
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Two Hand-Painted Murals
The two 34-metre murals draw inspiration from the community’s original designs, transforming walls into vibrant showcases of local creativity. These murals celebrate Stratford's diversity, blending bold patterns and colours to create a cohesive and uplifting visual narrative.
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The Interactive Floor Art
This 25-square-metre floor design invites movement and play, with elements like hopscotch and an alphabet ladder that engage people of all ages. Every step on the interactive artwork encourages joy, connection, and active participation.
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The Play Pieces
Five interactive play features - including games, hopscotch, and a colourful alphabet ladder—bring fun and functionality to public spaces. Designed for all ages, these pieces foster intergenerational connection and make the trail a lively hub for activity.
The Colour-Blocked Planters and Walls
Brightly painted planters and walls infuse the area with vibrant energy, creating visually striking focal points in previously overlooked spaces
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The Boot Print Trail
Over 1,300 playful boot prints connect every part of the art trail, guiding visitors through the experience and unifying the elements into a cohesive journey. The boot prints are both a physical and symbolic reminder of shared creativity and community involvement.