On this International Volunteers Day, we’re shining a spotlight on the transformative power of collaboration, creativity, and community. This year, our 1250-metre Art Trail with Populo Living and Newham Council has built on the foundation of our 2023 Populo mural project, bringing even more vibrancy, connection, and creativity to Stratford.
In 2023, we collaborated with hundreds of participants to create a mural that reflected their collective ideas and aspirations on a 32-metre Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) mural. For the 2024 Art Trail, we took many of these designs and reimagined them on a larger scale, transforming not just walls but entire spaces into hubs of connection and creativity.
This ambitious project features:
Two hand-painted 34-metre murals, each inspired by the community’s original designs.
A 25-square-metre interactive floor art piece, created to inspire movement and joy.
Five interactive play pieces, including hopscotch, an alphabet ladder, and games for all ages.
Colour-blocked planters and walls, adding a vibrant energy to public spaces.
Over 1300 boot prints, forming a playful trail that links every element of the project together.
Each creative element is a result of teamwork from the people who shared their ideas, dedicated their time and poured their creativity into bringing it all to life
The Power of Coming Together
Creating public art is all about connection. From the very beginning, this project was a collaborative effort. Participants of all ages joined us to share their aspirations for the community, channelling their ideas into the designs you can now see across Stratford!
Our volunteers played a crucial role in bringing these ideas to life. Their dedication, energy, and willingness to get stuck into every aspect of the process is truly inspiring. These moments of collaboration brought so much more than colour to the area. They fostered relationships, created pride, and brought people closer together.
Rose Hill, the founder of Co-Creative Connection, transformed the community’s ideas into tangible designs. With a deep commitment to collaboration, Rose worked closely with participants to ensure every element of the art trail felt cohesive, professional, and true to the community's vision. She guided the creative process with care and expertise, helping individuals refine their ideas and channel their creativity into a unified masterpiece.
Paid artists brought their expertise and creativity to the table, transforming the community’s designs to life with hand-painted murals, thermoplastic floor art and interactive play pieces. Their ability to work alongside participants and volunteers added depth and dimension to the art trail, blending professional craftsmanship with heartfelt community input.
Impact Beyond the Paint
The Populo Living 2024 Art Trail has redefined public spaces, turning them into interactive, joyful environments for everyone.
The interactive floor art, for example, invites people of all ages to play and connect. Watching a child hop along the alphabet ladder or an older resident engage with the designs has been a beautiful reminder of how art transcends generations. The colour-blocked walls and planters now brighten Stratford’s streets, transforming once-overlooked spaces into vibrant focal points of community pride.
Perhaps the most symbolic feature of the trail is the 1300 boot prints. They physically and metaphorically connect every part of the project, guiding visitors along a path that celebrates collective creativity and shared journeys.
Why Volunteers Matter
This International Volunteers Day, we want to celebrate the incredible people who gave their time and energy to make this project a success. Volunteers and local participants are the heart and soul of what we do, making large-scale, community-driven art possible. It’s art created by the people, for the people.
Through projects like this, we’ve learned that volunteering isn’t just about giving, it’s about receiving. Volunteers walk away with new skills, connections, and the satisfaction of being part of something bigger than themselves. And for the community, the impact is immeasurable. Projects like this wouldn’t exist without the collective efforts of volunteers, participants, and artists working together.
A Lasting Legacy
The Populo Living 2024 Art Trail is more than an art installation - it’s a testament to what’s possible when people come together. Every mural, footprint, and splash of colour tells a story of collaboration, creativity, and community spirit.
As we look back on this incredible project, we’re reminded that public art isn’t just a gift to a community, it’s a gift created by the community. It continues to inspire, engage, and bring joy to Stratford for years to come.
Thank you to every volunteer, participant, and artist who made this possible. Together, we’ve created something extraordinary.
For more information on how you can support our initiatives, contact us today! Let’s work together to continue fostering creativity, confidence, and community impact in the next generation.
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