Fifteen colourful new murals created by more than 160 Isle of Wight children have been officially unveiled outside the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown, bringing a fresh new look to one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks.
The murals were officially opened by Isle of Wight High Sheriff Nigel Hartley, marking the culmination of a year-long project led by Artswork in partnership with Community Murals IOW.
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The initiative was inspired by consultations with students from The Bay CE School and Forest Edge School, who described Sandown as having plenty of potential but feeling neglected and drab. They wanted to create something that would bring more colour and positivity to the town.
Peta Rainford, placemaking creative producer at Artswork, has said:
“We were so excited when we were given the opportunity to fulfil the young people’s brief by redesigning the 15 murals at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary – they are such a prominent and iconic part of Sandown.
“We appreciate that it took a leap of faith on the part of the Sanctuary to hand them over to a project initiated by and involving children at every stage, but I think the results speak themselves.”
(L-R) High-Sheriff Nigel Hartley, Mayor of Sandown Alex Lightfoot and Wildheart Animal Sanctuary CEO Lawrence Bates. Credit – Nosy Creative Agency
Community Murals IOW was appointed as lead artist following an open call and delivered around 20 planning and design workshops involving pupils from the 2 schools and members of the sanctuary’s Tiger Teens group.
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Together, they designed all 15 murals, celebrating respect for animals while featuring some of the sanctuary’s rescued residents, including bears, tigers and lynx, alongside native wildlife.
Around 25 young people were directly involved in painting the murals, joined by children supported by the Isle of Wight Youth Justice Service.
Lawrence Bates, CEO of the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, has said:
“We are so unbelievably pleased with the murals, they are brilliant and do a fantastic job of lifting the whole sanctuary and the Yaverland end of Sandown.
“The children and Community Murals IOW should be extremely proud of what they have achieved – they have given the Sanctuary an amazing new welcoming façade that reflects the vibrancy and joy of the natural world, our animals and the local community.”
Hollie Jackson and Emma Goss from Community Murals IOW have said:
“We can honestly say this has been our favourite project so far. We really hope it makes people smile, encourages more visitors to come through the gates, and helps support the amazing work that happens here every day.
“Mostly though, we just hope everyone who helped create it feels proud when they walk past, because this really has been a team effort.”
The project forms part of Artswork’s Young Cultural Changemakers programme and was funded by Arts Council England, with additional support from Sandown Town Council.
