New murals add a splash of colour to Goldthorpe’s Horse and Groom Square

A celebration event has been held to mark the completion of two inspiring new murals at the Horse and Groom Square, Goldthorpe.

The artwork’s design was shaped with the Dearne community and painted by art duo Craig Evans and Tom Jackson, who work together as STATIC.

During the consultation period, Tom and Craig worked with children from Highgate Primary Academy to create stencil illustrations. These have been incorporated into the mural on the side of Goldthorpe Library, which is called The Stories.

They also hosted a spray paint art workshop at Goldthorpe Pentecostal Community Church and a drop-in session at the Snap-Tin Café to gather as many views as possible.

The artists held a community painting day in April so everyone could play their part in bringing to life the vision for The Stories, which has references to the Dearne’s heritage and celebrates its nature and culture.

STATIC also painted another mural to the rear of the Square, which reads: “Learn from the past; look to the future.”

This project has been funded by the UK Government's Towns Fund as part of the wider regeneration of Goldthorpe, Bolton upon Dearne and Thurnscoe.

Cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, Cllr Robin Franklin, said: “I’d like to thank STATIC for delivering this wonderful artwork and the UK Government for providing the funding.

“Everyone who has played their part in shaping and painting the murals, which are colourful, vibrant and joyful, can be rightly proud of a job well done.

“This project has been a brilliant demonstration of how when the community comes together, we can achieve great things – showing that Barnsley really is the place of possibilities.”

Matthew Stephens, chair of the Goldthorpe Town Board, said: “Thanks to everyone involved in shaping and delivering this amazing new artwork. It really adds extra colour and vibrance to the Horse and Groom Square at the heart of Goldthorpe.

“STATIC have done a great job bringing the fantastic vision for the murals to life with help from everyone who came along to the community painting day to join in.

“Celebrating the culture and heritage of the Dearne is one of the central themes of Towns Fund investment in this area. We've already seen the transformation of the Dearne Playhouse into a thriving community and cultural hub and more art projects are being brought forward.

“It's all about creating more opportunities for people of all ages to get involved with cultural activities right here in the Dearne.”

We’ve worked on this project with Beam, a cultural organisation who work across the north of England.

Frances Smith, Principal Consultant for Beam, said: “We’re delighted to see these captivating and multi-layered murals develop at Horse and Groom Square.

“STATIC have skilfully woven the many conversations with the local community into vibrant new artworks to enhance the square and which tell key stories of Goldthorpe - past, present and future.

“Hopefully these murals will continue to inspire for years to come.”

This is one of a package of major artwork projects underway in the Dearne area, funded by the Goldthorpe Town Deal.

You can find out more at barnsley.gov.uk/GoldthorpeArt.

Captions: 

Image 1: From left: Cllr Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture; artists Craig Evans and Tom Jackson; Matthew Stephens, chair of Goldthorpe Town Board, and children from Highgate Primary Academy.

Images 2 and 3: Artists Tom Jackson and Craig Evans with the new artwork in Horse and Groom Square.

Image 4: Detail from the new artwork "The Stories" in Horse and Groom Square, Goldthorpe.

Note to editors

High-resolution versions of these images are available on request.