Young people transform Bognor subway into 70-metre community art showcase
A once-neglected subway in Bognor Regis has been transformed into a vibrant public art space.
This is, thanks to a youth-led project, supported by Arun District Council and community partners.
"An incredible transformation of an unloved subway in Bognor, led by young people, local school children and multiple artists and partners, has now been fully installed,” a council statement read.
"Now featuring over 70 metres of original art, the project set out to turn the subway under Hotham Way into a space that celebrates local young people's creativity and what they love about their town.”
The initiative forms part of Artswork’s Young Cultural Changemakers programme, which aims to empower young people to lead creative projects that benefit their communities.
Over recent months, 30 local young people aged between 10 and 18 have worked together to develop the theme, curate the display and shape the overall vision.
More than 300 children and young people from local schools – including Felpham Community College, Edward Bryant, Rose Green, South Bersted and Southway Primaries – submitted designs inspired by the theme ‘I Love Bognor’.
These were transformed into colourful vinyl panels by commissioned artist Emma Ghafur, also known as Tiger Monkey, highlighting the work of more than 80 local children. Additional ceiling panels were designed and produced by young people involved in a Youth Justice restorative justice workshop.
The council added: “Alongside this, young people selected and commissioned street artist AlecLDN to design new murals based on their ideas.
"The project was initially installed in November, with a large community celebration, but wet winter weather delayed the completion of the murals.
"Joining forces with new partner, Blakes Cottage Trust, additional murals have been designed by young people at 39 Club, inspired by Blake's art and poetry, and the subway is now completely filled youth led art alongside its entire length (over 70 metres in total).”
The council said Project 39 is a ‘partnership effort’ – bringing together 39 Youth Club, Bognor Regis Town Council, West Sussex Youth Justice Service, Safer Arun Partnership, the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner and Blakes Cottage Trust.
It represents a ‘shared commitment’ to creativity, community, and youth voice which is the ‘driving mission’ of charity Artswork's projects across the South of England.