Fifteen stunning new murals outside the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown have been officially opened by Isle of Wight High Sheriff Nigel Hartley, marking the end of a year-long project involving more than 160 local children, working with Community Murals IOW.
A year in the making
The project, led by Artswork, was a response to consultations with students from two Sandown Schools – the Bay CE Secondary School and Forest Edge School who said they thought Sandown had ‘potential’, but that it felt neglected and drab. They wanted to create something for Sandown that gave it more positivity and colour.
Designed by the children who use it
Peta Rainford, placemaking creative producer at Artswork, said,
“We were so excited when we were given the opportunity to fulfil the young people’s brief by redesigning the 15 murals at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary – they are such a prominent and iconic part of Sandown.
“We appreciate that it took a leap of faith on the part of the Sanctuary to hand them over to a project initiated by and involving children at every stage, but I think the results speak themselves.”
From sketchbook to sanctuary wall
Community Murals IOW were appointed as lead artists on the project following an open-call and ran around 20 planning and design workshops with the two schools and children from the Sanctuary’s own Tiger Teens group.
Together they designed the 15 murals, promoting respect for animals and featuring some of the Sanctuary’s ‘charismatic megafauna’ rescue animals, such as bears, tigers and lynx, as well as native species.
“An amazing new welcoming façade”
Lawrence Bates, CEO of the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, says the new murals have transformed the appearance of the Sanctuary,
“We are so unbelievably pleased with the murals, they are brilliant and do a fantastic job of lifting the whole sanctuary and the Yaverland end of Sandown.
“The children and Community Murals IOW should be extremely proud of what they have achieved – they have given the Sanctuary an amazing new welcoming façade that reflects the vibrancy and joy of the natural world, our animals and the local community.”
A team effort worth celebrating
Hollie Jackson and Emma Goss from Community Murals IOW say they are proud of what has been achieved,
“We can honestly say this has been our favourite project so far. We really hope it makes people smile, encourages more visitors to come through the gates, and helps support the amazing work that happens here every day.
“Mostly though, we just hope everyone who helped create it feels proud when they walk past, because this really has been a team effort.”
The project is part of Artswork’s Young Cultural Changemakers programme and was funded by Arts Council England, with additional support from Sandown Town Council.
News shared by Peta on behalf of Artswork. Ed
