Street art in Mabgate is flourishing and in so, helping to raise the profile of the area and showcase the creative and cultural organisations which make Mabgate so great. Many local artists and organisations are now part of the street art programme, an initiative that is supported by the Leeds City Centre Management team of Leeds City Council.

Organisation Music and Production (MAP) Charity, an alternative education provider based in Mabgate have started a joint project with the council and local artists to bring more street art to enhance the setting of their building, due to go under a multimillion pound refurbishment next year. The art work has been designed by the students and staff and installed by local artists Emma Hardaker and organisation ‘Open to the Public’. The designs take inspiration from local architecture and historic bridges in the area. There are so many more plans for  street art to bring colour, vibrancy and interest to the area -and will make the area feel more of a destination during times of construction works!

The Regent Street flyover construction site, believe it or not is also the home to some great artwork too- the bright and bold colours on the new hoardings are super fun and hopefully make the area feel safer and a pleasant walk through.

To add to the already growing profile of Mabgate, it has recently received the title as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK by renowned travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller, among other up and coming neighbourhoods across the UK, describing the area as ‘under-the-radar zone with art at its core’.

The first ever Mabgate Annual, an outdoor artist and community led event, took place in 2019 on St Mary’s greenspace in Mabgate.

A celebration of the area’s local creative businesses and organisations, Mabgate Annual hosted numerous exhibitions from local artists and provided activities for families, fresh local produce and live music. The event is championed and led by local artists, including Emma Hardaker, East Street Arts, alongside support from Leeds city centre management.

The event has done so much to raise the profile of Mabgate across the city and define it as a creative way for local creative businesses to come together, collaborate and celebrate the area. Look out for next year’s event in 2021!

 

-Becci Erbillur-Gray

@leedscitycentremanagement