The artists whose work will dress the windows of shop units to create an outdoor gallery for Worcester’s city centre have been revealed.

Worcester City Council, Worcester BID and Severn Arts have commissioned eight artists to create engaging bespoke designs to dress the frontage of seven vacant retail units, as well as lower floor windows at The Hive library.  These are designed to give inspiration and enjoyment to the city’s residents and visitors.  

The chosen artists who are now hard at work on creating the city’s new Outdoor Gallery are:

• Ivan Maxwell Jones (former A Write Card shop in Broad Street)
• Mia Rawlinson (The Hive)
• Sarah Millin (Hop Market unit five)
• Michelle Flint (Hop Market unit six)
• Mark Riley (Hop Market unit 17)
• Cherrie Mansfield and Richard Nicholls (former Individual Tailoring shop in The Foregate)
• Andrew Round of Paradise Multi-media (location to be confirmed)
• Yasmin Agilah Hood (location to be confirmed) 

The artworks will be installed from 9 October, creating a colourful and striking Outdoor Gallery that will add to the vibrancy of Worcester’s city centre. 

Councillor Lucy Hodgson, Chair of Worcester City Council’s Place and Economic Development Subcommittee, said: “As Worcester’s economy starts to recover from the impact of the lockdown it will be a real shot in the arm for shoppers, visitors and businesses to see beautiful creations that these eight local artists will be unleashing in our city centre.” 

Laura Worsfold, CEO Severn Arts, said: “We are really proud to be able to support artists and creative talent at this time and to bring some vibrancy back to Worcester’s empty shops to inspire and delight the people of Worcester as they return to work and the high street.” 

Sam McCarthy, Projects and Marketing Manager Worcester Business Improvement District, said: “We are delighted to be working with such talented local artists to support the transformation of areas in the City Centre where there are empty shops. As part of the city’s recovery it is important that projects like this takes place to attract shoppers and visitors, while at the same time allowing social distancing.”

Statements about their work from each of the selected artists