Welcome to Netherthorpe is a collaborative mural designed by illustration students from Sheffield Hallam’s Creative Industries Institute and Sheffield street-artist Peachzz.
It features woodland animals, positive messages and Sheffield’s Women of Steel, with each part of the mural designed by a different student artist.
The students have been mentored by the Lick of Paint Festival team, Megan Russell (Peachzz) and Alastair Flindall (Neck of the Wood studio) ahead of Sheffield’s first community street art festival later this year.
Megan Russell, AKA Peachzz, said: "Lick of Paint are thrilled to have worked on an amazing project mentoring the illustration students of Sheffield Hallam and creating a mural that connects with the residents of Netherthorpe. You would never have guessed it was these students' first time creating a mural. We are so proud of what they have created and the people who have passed by have said the same."
The mural takes inspiration from nature and history. Student Eret Jamil said he was inspired by the trees and nature around the area and felt encouraged working with Peachzz and Alastair.
Student Logan Walker was also inspired by the nature in the area and said: “The community in Netherthorpe share those same values. I wanted to create something fun that would resonate with the kids that walk past. They’ll hopefully love that it’s at their height.”
Hannah Butterfield created a section inspired by the Women of Steel: “They’re a big part of Netherthorpe’s history. Working with Peachzz was great and really encouraging as it was my first time working on this type of project.”
Students also worked with the Netherthorpe Road local community and have been supported by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and Sheffield City Council.
Councillors Tom Hunt, Laura McClean and John Wright, the local councillors for Netherthorpe, have supported the project and helped the students to engage with the local community and helped withpermissions and funding for the mural.
Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “As local councillors, we were delighted to support the mural and to work with residents, students at Sheffield Hallam, artists and Supertram to make it happen. People in Netherthorpe are proud of their area and the finished mural celebrates a great thriving local community. The students did a fantastic job to capture the local area, local nature and local pride in their artwork.”
The mural was commissioned as part of Sheffield Hallam’s Future Now initiative, which gives students the opportunity to collaborate with peers, communities, researchers, businesses, and enterprises to tackle societal issues.
