Morelands Trading Estate has community at ‘art’

Our Morelands Trading Estate in Gloucester is making a name for itself as a hub of the community, thanks to an innovative art project.

Resident artist Russell Haines, who rents an industrial unit at the site, began brightening up the walls in outdoor communal areas with murals of butterflies and flowers, as well as a montage of portraits of some of the other Bizspace customers at the site.

Community spirit

Now, with the help and support of Business Centre Manager Jackie Houslop, a community art project is being launched at Morelands, to allow a wide range of sectors of the community to try their hand at painting.

A dedicated area of wall has been set aside for Russell to help young people express themselves through art. It is already being used by groups of children who are not in mainstream education. They are able to try their hand at creating works of art on the white wall, which can then be painted over to allow another child to have a go.

“I am so pleased with how the scheme is going and it is really putting Morelands on the map as a community hub,” Jackie says.

“Our art project has the support of councillors, the local council, the university and college and we are looking forward to launching it officially.”

The Morelands Project

A customer at the site is creating a website for the scheme – which will be known as the Morelands Project – and tabards will be produced for the children taking part, which customers can advertise on if they wish.

Jackie continues: “In Bristol they have a lot of street art and people go specifically to see it. We are hoping to create the same feel here, where the young people taking part are gaining an opportunity they would not normally experience, and at the same time it is something that other people can look at and appreciate.”

The next stage will be for a large outline to be painted across the wall, for the young people to fill in, creating a striking mural.  More details of the project will be announced soon.

About the estate

Morelands Trading Estate features a range of business space for rent, including industrial units,meeting rooms, office space and workshops.