Upfest unveils vibrant new murals at Bedminster station

Bristol based public art specialist Upfest and Severnside Community Rail Partnership have unveiled two brand new murals in Bedminster to celebrate the local community and cultural transformation of the area.

This January, celebrated Bristol street artists Lucas Antics and Paul Roberts have been transforming the underpass at Bedminster Station, brightening the space for the growing number of commuters using the station.

The project has been supported by local councillors Ed Plowden and Lisa Snowden, as well as the Severnside Community Rail Partnership. They successfully secured funding from the Bristol City Council Community Infrastructure Levy and Great Western Railway, playing a key role in facilitating the project's delivery.

The murals come as part of a wider effort to improve the local environment in Bedminster, following extensive consultation with the community. Friends of Bedminster Station have long called for an enhancement to the underpass which now reflects the vibrant, evolving character of the neighbourhood. Previous artwork created by Victoria Park Primary School, which had outlasted its shelf life at the station, was returned to be showcased on the school grounds.

GWR Flagship Station Manager, Alex Hills, said:

“We’re delighted to support this project and the artwork by Lucas Antics and Paul has helped transform the underpass at Bedminster station and given it a striking uplift. I’d encourage people to take a trip down to the station to take a look for themselves.” 

Faye Keane from Severnside Community Rail Partnership said:

"The new artworks reflect the creative community that surrounds the station, which has been dubbed Bristol's Arts Quarter. It's been a pleasure to collaborate with Upfest to enhance the station and hope to encourage more visitors to come visit the area by train."

Cllr Lisa Stone, councillor for Windmill Hill, said, 

“Ed Plowden and I were pleased to secure contributions from local developers for these murals, so as to improve the station experience. It has been a pleasure to improve the local station in partnership with the rail industry and working locally with Upfest. We were impressed with the quality and quantity of designs that we had to choose from, and are confident that the neighbouring community will be proud of them.”

Alex Lucas of Lucas Antics, a previous artist at the Upfest festival, said:

“I’ve loved working in Bedminster for the last couple of weeks. The underpass is a space that people use every day, so being able to brighten it up with a mural that reflects both the history and the future of this community is an incredible opportunity. The brief called for an artwork that would create a welcoming and vibrant gateway to Bedminster, and we’ve included local wildlife, familiar landmarks, and the spirit of togetherness in our designs. I hope our work adds a little bit of joy and inspiration to everyone who comes through here."