Community-Led Street Art Project Complete In East Belfast

The Cregagh and Woodstock Road's in East Belfast have benefitted from a community-led street art project funded by Belfast City Council.

The project was funded by the Council's Business Cluster and Community Grant Scheme and Department for Communities' Revitalisation Programme

The members of the business cluster in the area are Bethany Fruit Market, Piccola Parma, Café Nicole and Crysalis, with advice from Alison Pascoe and Ruth Bothwell.

The project's completion coincides with Belfast 2024 - the city's biggest ever creative and cultural celebration.

Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Clíodhna Nic Bhranair said: "It's wonderful to see these vibrant, engaging artworks adding colour and interest to the Cregagh and Woodstock Road. It's such a busy arterial route, connecting the natural oasis of Loop River, The Cregagh Glen and Lisnabreeny with the urban landscape of the Albert Bridge junction heading into Belfast city centre – so it's really special to see that energy and nature reflected in this new street art. As well as encouraging greater pride in this area, I think it's also going to attract lots more footfall and spend." Ruth Bothwell, local artist, and business owner explained: "The theme 'Up the Cregagh, Down the Woodstock' draws inspiration from a popular local phrase used to describe 'The Road'.

In June 2023, Ruth and fellow local artist Alison Pascoe (Astrl Fibres) ran a series of community engagement workshops with over 140 pupils from Harding Memorial Integrated Primary and Euston Street Primary.

Alison explained: "As many of these pupils live and play in the area, they were able to contribute a unique perspective of what it means to grow up in a diverse urban community and they created their own vibrant, joyful street art."

The primary school pupils' ideas informed the artistic brief which was shared as an open call to individual street artists and arts organisations, generating huge interest from some of the UK and Ireland's top street artists.

Lead funding applicant and local business owner, Phill Coulter added: "You can already feel the positivity these artworks have brought to 'The Road' – they're getting such a welcome reaction from residents, local businesses, and visitors alike. It's a credit to the strong community spirit of the Cregagh and Woodstock Road.

"The project has been community-led from start to finish and that's something the project team are all really proud of."