01/11/24

A community mural that was vandalised just days after it had been completed has been restored to its original state.

A collaborative project, involving Cardiff Council teams, schools and external partners, to create colourful new murals had transformed the Gabalfa underpass at Western Avenue before the walls were daubed with yellow paint by vandals.

However, the community were quick to act and came together to wash off the graffiti before it had a chance to dry.

The mural took weeks of work with various local groups and schools involved and gave the underpass a vibrant new look, which the local community were proud of. They have now restored the artwork in an act that celebrates the power of community engagement and a sense of pride in their area.

The Unify Gabalfa Interchange Project involving the Cardiff Curriculum Team, Cardiff Youth Service, Cardiff Council's Housing caretaking team, and Unify Creative was funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). Led creatively by Unify Creative, it brought together local schools, city partners, and community members to reimagine and redesign the underpass, turning it into a safe and vibrant space that fosters community pride.

Six local schools, including Bryn y Deryn PRU, Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf, Gabalfa Primary, Ysgol Gynradd Glan Ceubal, St. Joseph's RC Primary, Meadowbank Special School, and the Glantaf Specialist Resource Base (SRB) participated in the project. Students from these schools, alongside young people from Gabalfa Youth Club worked closely with Unify Creative to explore themes of identity and community, creating artwork that reflects their unique perspectives on Gabalfa and its place in their lives.

The Unify Gabalfa Interchange Project represented a creative journey of discovery and expression for the local community. Throughout the spring and summer terms, students explored their local history and culture, collaborating with local artists and filmmakers to create the mural that now covers the underpass. The artwork encapsulates the collective spirit of Gabalfa, while addressing community concerns around safety and urban decay. The Cardiff Curriculum Team played a key role, guiding young people through the creative process and helping them bring their ideas to life. The project was supported by various partners, including Into Film Cymru, Buffon Media, and Glamorgan Archives, alongside the Cardiff Youth Service. The collaboration ensured that the project was deeply integrated into the school curriculum, providing both educational and artistic value for the students involved.

A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: "This project has totally revitalised the Gabalfa underpass and shows what can be achieved when local schools, organisations, and community members work together to celebrate and contribute to a shared vision of community and creativity. Not only has the initiative brought colour and life to the underpass but it has also brought with it sense of community pride, one which the local residents have rightly defended by showing these vandals that such acts of anti-social behaviour won't be tolerated."

The Gabalfa Interchange Underpass project is part of a broader effort by Cardiff Council to revitalise public spaces through art. The Unify Creative artists' time and materials were funded by SPF in support of the Unify Gabalfa Interchange Project and other painting was carried out by volunteers, members of the local community and through support of Housing's Caretaking Team.

Gabalfa Youth and Community Centre is dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for young people in Cardiff. Through various programs and partnerships, the Centre aims to empower youth, foster community spirit, and create opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The Council's Caretaking Services Team continues to seek opportunities to collaborate with local street artists and residents on future projects. The team encourages residents who experience persistent vandalism on public-facing walls or garages to reach out if they are interested in installing community-driven artwork in these spaces.

For more information on the project or to enquire about future partnerships, please contact the Cardiff Council Caretaking Services Team via email at  EstateServicesHousingManagement@cardiff.gov.uk.