Highwoods Community Centre redecorated with new mural

The Gilberd has joined forces with mural artist Adrian Leroy to decorate the site in Highwoods.

Coordinated by Colchester Council and funded by Essex County Council's Local Community Fund, The Gilberd School Legacy Project has culminated in a new mural celebrating the city’s rich history and development in a vibrant pop-art style.

The project is aimed at fostering creativity and community engagement among students through collaborative projects which enhance public spaces and celebrate local heritage.

The school held a mural design competition last year which received more than 65 entries.

Creative - the winning artwork from the mural design competition (Image: The Gilberd School)

From these, 15 winners were selected.

Students involved in the project then met up with Adrian and got to work.

The artwork from the students captures the essence of Colchester's landmarks and heritage.

Notable sites such as Colchester Castle, St. Botolph’s Priory, St John’s Abbey Gate, Sage House, the Town Hall, Jumbo Tower, and Firstsite are prominently featured, showcasing the city's evolution through a creative lens. 

The mural took Adrian months to complete and serves as a testament to the student's artistic vision and dedication.

History - the artwork showcases a number of iconic sites in the city (Image: The Gilberd School)

He said: “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the school on this piece.

“We worked together to develop a design that would reflect the local area’s rich history and incorporate their creativity to showcase the historical sides of Colchester city.” 

On July 8, the winning students, representatives from St John's & Highwoods Community Centre and Adrian gathered with local councillors to unveil the mural and share their insights about the project. 

Boss - Colchester Council leader David King (Image: Newsquest)

Council leader David King said: “The artwork brightens up and brings energy to the community.

“This collaborative effort between the students and Adrian has brought colour and life to the area.

“We hope to have more collaborative mural projects in the future, where members of the community can foster a sense of city pride and beautify public spaces.” 

Julie Clark, lead teacher at The Gilberd, added: “It has been a pleasure to help facilitate this student led project.

“Valuable skills have been developed as the students engaged with the different stages of the project.

“It was wonderful to see students from different year groups working to achieve a common goal.”