New mural ‘brightening up’ the main street in Royston

The artwork, created by youngsters from local schools and community hubs in Royston, sits proudly on what once was a ‘long and plain’ wall on Royston Road.

Having only been completed in mid-August, the design is already making a difference to residents.

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Gregor Henderson, community development officer at Rosemount Development Trust, who commissioned the artwork, said: “We have had lots of really good feedback from locals about the mural.

“A lot of people have said it brightens up the area, and we have even had kids coming up to the wall and pointing out bits of the drawing that they were responsible for.

“This wall is like the gateway into Royston, and it was so long and plain before, so it is nice to see some brightness and colour on it now.

“This project is a visible way of showing people that their input matters.

“It was really important that there was a strong community element in this piece.

“We are a community group ourselves after all and it’s the people that are walking past the mural that we want to be part of it.

“If the community is part of it, then it means more.”

The team at the RDT commissioned Michaela McManus and Molly Hankinson, artists on the SWG3 Yardworks Programme, to work with children from St. Roch’s Primary and Secondary School, Royston Primary School, and Royston Youth Action to create the area’s new addition.

After four weeks of workshops and engagement classes, the kids have now had their pictures of what Royston means to them (feelings, stories and associations of the area) merged into a landscape of flowers, sports, and images of parks and local buildings.

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Michaela said: “We have received amazing feedback, and everyone has commented on how bright and vibrant the mural is.

 “We used the natural and urban landscape as inspiration and introduced the children to design techniques including colour theory.

“The children were excited to share their experiences and have ownership of the design.

“We love to work with communities in this way and create artwork that is relevant and enhances the landscape.

“It was lovely to meet so many people from the community.”

The Rosemount Development Trust received funding for the mural from the likes of Area Partnerships Glasgow City Council and the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland. 

To find out more about the Rosemount Development Trust, click HERE