Graffiti Jam brings Civic Centre hoardings to life

Plymouth’s Civic Centre has been given an urban makeover, thanks to a collaboration between Plymouth Artists Together (PAT), local graffiti artists and the civic skate community. The Grade II listed building, which was acquired by regeneration specialist, Urban Splash in 2015, now brings vibrant splashes of colour to the area to complement the Mayflower 400 mural, with the art receiving lots of positive feedback from both counsellors and the public.

With full support from the Urban Splash Charitable Trust, the artists worked together over the Easter weekend on the graffiti jam, to bring to life the blank sections of hoarding at the Civic Centre. 

The Civic Centre is under development following planning approval to transform the 14-storey former council headquarters into an exciting new city location. Upon completion it will provide a focal point for the city, with residential apartments and ground floor office, retail and leisure space.

Speaking about the project, Urban Splash’s Development Manager for the Civic Centre, James Couth said: “This fantastic event demonstrates our commitment to the arts – for over 25 years we have pioneered creativity and artistic individuality as we know from experience how it contributes to the unique landscape of an urban area.

“As well as our strong collaborations with design specialists, we’ve always encouraged local artists to feature their works within our buildings and spaces – something that has been successful at the city’s Royal William Yard’s Ocean Studios as well as at our other neighbourhoods in Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and in Sheffield. It’s important that local artists are given space to demonstrate their talents within their city and the pieces on display at the Civic Centre show what can be created when they are.”

Plymouth Artists Together is a growing group of local people who ‘love the idea of people being able to show off their artistic skills and we are always seeking spaces for this to happen.’