The Glastonbury Mural Trail Celebrates 5 Years!
This September, we’re celebrating five years of the Glastonbury Mural Trail, a volunteer-led project that demonstrates the profound positive impact art can have on a community. The project is coordinated by our very own Kim von Coels with support from the Town Council and the Chamber of Commerce, who both recognise the value of quality public art within the town. Heart of The Tribe has been involved with the trail since the beginning, having sponsored several of the murals, including Sunflowers by Faye Suzannah, Waving Woman and Adam & Eve by Frank Harwood, Cattle on the Corner Shop and of course, most recently, the Dahlias on the side of our building, both by Jon Minshull. It is an honour and a pleasure to be able to help facilitate this outdoor art gallery that has become such an integral part of our town’s visual landscape.
The trail features a series of vibrant murals created by various local, national, and international artists, showcasing a varied range of styles and subject matter. These diverse artworks reflect and celebrate the town’s unique culture. The trail includes designs reflecting the area’s landscapes, history, mythology, symbolism, spiritual heritage, as well as playful patterns and street art culture.
The project was officially launched on September 19, 2019, with a live art event at Glastonbury Skatepark, which appealed to a wide demographic and received a great response from the local community. It was opened by the late Pat Leyshon and her daughter, local councillor Liz Leyshon. Pat Leyshon painted the infamous flowers on her shop at the top of the High Street in the late 1960s, pioneering the idea of brightening up Glastonbury’s streets with free public art. The first incarnation of the trail featured 26 murals, including 16 existing artworks and 10 new ones created or commissioned during the spring and summer before the launch.
Prior to the trail’s official launch, Glastonbury already had many public artworks, both official and unofficial, emerging over the previous decade. Notable contributions included a Banksy piece on Chilkwell Street in 2007, which was sadly painted over by the property owner. There were murals by artists such as Jon Minshull (Goddess Hall / St Ben’s school); the MOA crew (a local graffiti collective including SYM, Sikoh, DMK & Luvm, who were responsible for the infamous Glastonbury Mural and early pieces on the Globe Inn & in the skatepark); Faye Suzannah (Tor Cottage, Super foods & Passion Flower Jungle); Kim von Coels and Sophie Alexi (Sugar skull/Winged bug/Flowers); and Stik, Inkie & Cheba (renowned national street artists). These early works laid the foundation for the Glastonbury Mural Trail and became popular elements of the town’s international appeal.
The project has united artists, businesses and volunteers. It is financially supported through donations and sponsorship, and artists often work for free or a heavily reduced rate. The trail is free to all, encouraging residents and visitors to explore their surroundings and appreciate accessible art. It emphasises community participation through public art events (in conjunction with Styles of Somerset who regularly host Paint Jams), and volunteering opportunities. Local schools and organisations have commissioned murals, fostering a sense of ownership and pride. The initiative has effectively discouraged vandalism with few murals being defaced, and has replaced unsightly tags with beautiful artwork.
Since its launch, the mural trail has continued to evolve. It now features around 80 artworks by over 40 different artists. As more walls become available, and more people embrace the idea of contributing to this rich tapestry of artwork, the trail continues to grow. New murals are regularly added and existing ones are maintained and renewed, ensuring the trail remains inspiring, fresh, and reflective of Glastonbury’s dynamic community.
This year, three new floral-themed murals were created to honour Glastonbury in Bloom, celebrating their achievements in the South West in Bloom competition and entry into the RHS Britain in Bloom awards: Dahlias, by Jon Minshull, Bromeliads by Faye Suzannah, and The Flowers at the end of Benedict Street by Hazard One.
The Glastonbury Mural Trail has become an integral part of the town’s identity, and has gained recognition as a significant cultural attraction drawing thousands of visitors each year. It champions the transformative power of creativity and has been praised for its role in enhancing the town’s visual landscape.
Kim von Coels and her volunteers clean graffiti off walls where artwork is not wanted or would not be suitable, respecting the town’s historical character. Her vision is to continue expanding the mural selection, refreshing faded or damaged works, and bringing more colour to forgotten corners.
To celebrate five years of the Mural Trail, we will be holding an exhibition here at Heart of The Tribe Gallery from September 12 to October 20, showcasing original works by participating artists, and offering photos and prints of a huge selection of murals, past & present. Artists participating in the exhibition include; ALL SEEING RA | CHEBA | CHLOE FORFITT | SYM | DMK | FAYE SUZANNAH | FRANK HARWOOD | INKIE | JOHN D’OH | JON MINSHULL | SIKOH | JULIA BEDFORD | KIM VON COELS (KRUMBLE ) | MARTA ZUBIETA | XENZ | MILLIE GLEESON | MORT SPARROW | OKSANA GAIDASHEVA | KAPO 746 | INA WHISTLER | SARA TRENCHARD | SOAP VILLAIN | BEATFOX | MATT WITT | FLO KENT | HAZARD ONE | JULIA BEDFORD | RACHEL BLACKWELL | SOPHIE RAE | WISPA | SCRAPYARDSPEC | LAURA ERVITI
We will be hosting a fundraising event on Thursday September 19th. There will be a silent auction to raise money for the project with artworks donated by at least 10 different artists, a raffle with a selection of great prizes including a mural trail print of your choice, one of our beautiful Dahlia notebooks, and a copy of the Mural Trail Postcard book. Plus other items still to be announced. This will also coincide with the launch of the brand new 5th edition of the Mural Trail map and leaflet, featuring many new artworks that have been painted in the last 12 months, as well as the updated Mural Trail website, which is undergoing a bit of a rejig to enable a better view of the various murals, the history, and a comprehensive image gallery of behind the scenes action. There will be drinks and music and vibes a plenty from 6-9pm.
On Sunday October 6th, renowned muralist Jon Minshull will give a free art talk about his work in the workshop space at the end of our garden. Book your free tickets here.
More artists are expressing interest in contributing, ensuring the trail remains a living testament to the town’s vibrant community spirit. The project continues to inspire both residents and visitors, adding another layer to Glastonbury’s rich cultural tapestry, and ensuring that Glastonbury remains colourful.
