Endangered butterfly inspires Room to Rise mural at Bognor Regis Youth Centre

An endangered butterfly has inspired a new mural by artist Marc Craig at Bognor Regis Youth & Community Centre, supporting its new Room to Rise youth initiative.

 Created through Craig’s The Ark of Extinction project, the artwork reflects Room to Rise’s aim of helping young people grow into creative, confident and independent adults.

 The mural features the Wood White, a butterfly classified as Endangered on the Great Britain Red List. Rare colonies survive in West Sussex, giving the artwork a close connection to the county’s wildlife.

 Painted across the centre’s double doors, the butterfly is surrounded by intricate patterns, bright colour and words contributed by people who regularly use the centre. Messages including “Be brave” and “Be optimistic” place the community’s own voice at the centre of the work.

 Craig said: “The Wood White’s fragility and tenacity felt like a powerful starting point for this mural. Growing up brings all sorts of challenges. I wanted the work to reflect the possibility of finding creative ways forward, with the support and encouragement to flourish.

 “The words come from people who use the centre regularly. I wanted their voices to belong in the artwork, so it feels connected to the people who make this place what it is.”

 The Ark of Extinction brings attention to threatened wildlife through Craig’s distinctive murals, using art to bring people together and start conversations about the natural world.

 Craig added: “A huge thank you to Kez, the whole team and everyone who uses the space for making me feel so welcome.”