Community projects

Magic Corner | Fighting Pollution with Carbon Absorbing Paint

In August 2024, we partnered with LoveE15 to create "Magic Corner," a vibrant public mural at the corner of Chaplin Street and Ranelagh Road in Plaistow, Newham. Painted by artist ATMA, the mural combats fly-tipping, promotes environmentalism, and beautifies the neighborhood! Designed with the local community, including residents, parents, and business owners, this mural was painted at a special event on August 31st. The continuous floral pattern transforms a previously neglected corner and encourages a sense of calm and connection with nature. Uniquely, the mural uses carbon-absorbing paint from Graphenstone Paint, promoting sustainability and cleaner air!

Fighting Fly-Tipping With Public Art with LoveE15

In collaboration with Love E15, a community-building group in Newham Paint the Change created a vibrant mural to tackle local fly-tipping hotspots. Designed with Love E15 and painted by artist Atma, the mural brings color and life to Bull Road. We also hosted a public painting session, where community members signed their names on the wall's bricks before painting them over to complete the mural—adding a personal touch to this creative project!

What is a Parakeet doing in the middle of East London?

We revisited one of Paint the Change's most iconic murals in East London to see what its impact has been two years later! We met with a local resident and member of LoveE15, a community collective that initially approached Paint the Change to paint the mural to combat fly-tipping, which had become a grave issue in their neighborhood. Two years later, this community network is stronger than ever and the parakeet has brightened up the neighborhood!

The One I Admire Portrait Project invited local residents to create portraits of individuals they admire, celebrating Newham's heroes, diversity, and creativity. Selected portraits were displayed along Stratford High Street, marking the transformation of Alice Billings House into a new cultural hub, engaging the community through art.

Our partnership with Richmix

Paint the Change collaborated with Richmix, a cultural space based in Tower Hamlets that aims at connecting the city’s most diverse audiences to a vital, exciting, and ambitious programme of contemporary culture. We worked with Richmix to create three distinct public art projects which celebrated the local area, by reflecting on the communities and people that make up Tower Hamlets. 

Our partnership with Streets of Growth

Streets of Growth is an East London-based “bold and dynamic ‘grass roots’ charity that specialises in prevention, intervention, and post-vention for young adults aged 15-25 who are seriously stuck in terms of their lifestyle, environment, education or career.” Paint the Change collaborated with them on a series of workshops followed by public murals that reflected themes of diversity, acceptance and hope.

200 Nationalities, One NHS - The Paint the Change Workshop

In September 2020, a group of young people from Wapping Youth Football Club teamed up with Paint the Change to create a powerful street mural celebrating the NHS. Through a series of workshops led by street artist ATMA and youth mentor Efe Ezekiel, the young participants developed their creative skills and used street art to express their views on social justice. The mural honors the diversity of the NHS and its frontline workers, with hand-drawn flowers symbolizing the 200 nationalities that make up this essential service.

Home again | Body and Soul

In November 2021, Paint the Change held a month of art workshops at the Body & Soul charity in London, culminating in a stunning mural of a kintsugi vase filled with flowers. Led by artist Matt "ATMA" Dufour and youth mentor Efe Ezekiel, the workshops helped over 60 members of all ages explore different art forms and share their stories, focusing on trauma, community, and reclaiming their space after the pandemic. The mural also marked Body & Soul’s 25th anniversary, celebrating the community and everyone who has been part of it.

Ben Okri's 'Grenfell Tower, June 2017

The tragic Grenfell Tower fire on June 14, 2017, sparked a national conversation about inequality in the UK. Inspired by Ben Okri's powerful poem written in response to the fire, Paint the Change collaborated with renowned lettering artist Ben Eine to create a mural honoring the victims and survivors. This public artwork serves as a tribute and a reminder of the disparities exposed by the tragedy.