Mansfield Railway Art Project

First Art partnered up with the Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership and Sutton Road Primary and Nursery School to deliver a project designed to breathe new life into Mansfield Railway Station.

The underpass and platform panels at Mansfield Railway Station before their makeovers

After

This community-based initiative created a permanent art piece installed in the public underpass and on the platform areas at the station to help make them feel safer and more welcoming.

Prior to the artwork installations, the underpass and platform panels were identified as a possible barrier to people accessing the station and these areas within the town.

Street artists Peachzz and Kunstity, working together as ‘Lick of Paint‘, were selected to design and create the art work, in conjunection with some of the students from Sutton Road Primary and Nursery School.

The artwork has been painted on the walls of the underpass, and replicated on the 34 Perspex panels on the two platforms.

The designs reference some of Mansfield’s history: the sheep and ball of wool are a nod to the town’s textiles industry, the shoe a reminder of Mansfield Shoe Company while the cow references the former cattle market, and the fruit is a link to the present-day market; the flora and fauna are some of those found in the Nottinghamshire area. There are also some familiar, and not so familiar sayings.

The project ran from early February 2023 through to June 2023, with the official unveiling on Friday 9 June 2023.

Working together

A partnership has formed to enable this project to happen.

It’s being funded by Community Rail Network, East Midlands Railway, First Art, Cross Country Trains, Nottinghamshire County Council, Mansfield District Council, and the Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership.

First Art are working in partnership with the funders alongside Network Rail, Sutton Road Primary and Nursery School, and Mansfield Town Football Club to deliver the project.

Young People

A key part of the project was the involvement of young people, from start to finish.

Not only did this ensure the community shaped the work, it also helped them to take ownership and, we hope, safeguard the endurance of the artworks.

Year 5 students from Sutton Road Primary and Nursery School, Mansfield were involved throughout the interview and design stages of the commission.

Busy at work, lots of ideas have been played around with by the students during the workshops
Image © Lamar Francois Photography

A small exhibition, featuring their work as part of the design stage, was shown at the First Art shop in June 2023.

A bit of background

Mansfield Railway Station

Mansfield Railway Station is situated on the outskirts of town, close to a retail park and the Football Ground. It sits in the middle of the Robin Hood Line, on the route between Nottingham and Worksop.

The Grade II listed station building is owned by Mansfield District Council and managed by East Midlands Railway (EMR).

The Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership

The Robin Hood Line Community Rail Partnership (RHLCRP) was officially formed in 2021 and provides funding and support for the project. The aims and objectives of the CRP are directly related to the four pillars of Community Rail as set out in the Department for Transports Community Rail Development Strategy, 2019.

• • • • Providing a voice for the community
      • Promoting sustainable, healthy, and accessible travel
      • Bringing communities together and supporting diversity and inclusion
      • Supporting social and economic development

The RHLCRP is supported by:

Ashfield District Council, Bolsover District Council, Community Rail Network, Community Safety Partnership, CrossCountry Trains, Department for Transport, Derbyshire County Council, East Midlands Railway, Elmton-with-Creswell Parish Council, Langwith Parish Council, Mansfield District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Shirebrook Town Council, and Whitwell Parish Council.

Find out more about Community Rail Partnerships here