Young people in Tonyrefail are working with the celebrated graffiti artist ‘Tee2Sugars’ to create a vibrant and colourful mural that celebrates Wales and their community. The exciting project is funded by the Council, linked to a local footbridge replacement that was completed earlier this year.
A group of pupils from Tonyrefail Community School has helped to design the mural. One side of the artwork will show ‘Tonyrefail’ in large letters and depict traditional Welsh themes such as daffodils and our mining history – along with an anvil, which is an emblem of the village. On the other side, the mural will adopt a cartoon style showing young people reading and writing.
The project was originally an idea of the Council’s Youth Participation and Engagement Service (YEPS), which worked with colleagues in the Highways Structures team to see if a community project could be included when it undertook the Tynybryn Footbridge replacement. That scheme also repaired, resurfaced and repainted a nearby underpass that links to Tynybryn Road.
The mural was developed further as part of the Council’s youth service in the local area – and the young people liked the idea of creating an art project in the bypass, to brighten up this location. YEPS’ Community Youth Officer Co-Ordinator has since worked closely with Tonyrefail Community School, which was excited about the project as part of its wider community outreach activity. The Council’s Highways Structures team has approved funding for the project.
‘Tee2Sugars’ is from South Wales and has completed stunning community artworks – including the huge mural on a building at Mill Street in Pontypridd, that celebrates hosting the National Eisteddfod of Wales. He met with the Tonyrefail pupils to develop their design, and the group recently started the process of painting the mural – which will be completed in the month ahead.
Councillor Christina Leyshon, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Youth Participation, said: “It’s been really fantastic to see everyone come together to progress this community project – and it’s great that the young people have now begun to paint the mural. Our YEPS team works so hard, through school and community based youth work, to make a real difference in young people’s lives – and projects like these help to develop teamwork, dedication, and a real sense of pride in where they live.
“Our Highways department has also played a key role to enable the mural following its Tynybryn Footbridge replacement, which was completed earlier this year. Finally, I’d like to thank all involved from Tonyrefail Community School – the enthusiasm of their pupils has been a driving force in developing the idea for the mural, working closely with the fantastic ‘Tee2Sugars’. I can’t wait to see the finished artwork take pride of place in the community soon!”
