Art + People + Place programme
Herefordshire Council has embarked on its first formal public art programme inviting 16 artists from across the country to transform Hereford's urban environment.
The commissions were awarded to internationally and nationally renowned artists, many of whom are based in Herefordshire or the West Midlands region.
Local people, students, businesses, cultural organisations and partners from across the region came together to explore how art, culture and design could play its part in shaping the city. The project launched in April 2024.
Hereford Public Art Trail
The Hereford Public Art Trail is an easy 2-mile loop of Hereford which takes about 1 hour to complete at a moderate pace.
Download the trail map or pick up a printed version at key transport hubs, outlets and sites across the city.
You can also use the Hereford Public Art Trail Google map:
Wall murals
Eight wall-based murals commissioned by Studio Response to celebrate Hereford's rich identity, heritage and connection to nature.
Situated at key gateway locations into and around the city, the artworks help to tell our city's cultural story.
The commissioned artists ranged from international level to local Herefordshire talent.
The locations and artists are:
- Eign Gate Underpass - Graphic Rewilding
- The Herdsman - Curtis Hylton
- Bastion Mews - Emmeline North
- The Commercial - Nomad Clan
- Brewer's Passage - SNIK
- Capuchin Lane - Dermot Clarke
- Booth Hall Passage - Gemma Flowers
- Union Passage - Estee Angeline
Sculpture Trail
A partnership project jointly commissioned by Hereford College of Arts and Meadow Arts to celebrate 170 years of creative education in the city.
The trail draws inspiration from old pictorial trade signs of the 17th and 18th centuries, and reimagines this tradition for the 21st century.
The eight artworks hang from disused shop signage brackets to create a sculpture trail through the city.
Enhancing the historic core of Hereford
The new Art + People + Place programme, commissioned in partnership with Studio Response, was part of the £6 million Hereford City Centre Improvements (HCCI) project.
The overall project aimed to refurbish the historic core of Hereford through investment in the streetscape, landscaping and public realm and was funded jointly by the council and Marches LEP.
The public art project has been years in the making, bringing together local people, students, businesses and stakeholders from across the city to add creativity and vibrancy to our streets.
We held a public consultation session in June 2023 which provided themes, ideas and locations that have fed into the final artworks.
Studio Response brings people together to produce site-responsive art in the public realm.
Public art feedback survey
This is our first formal public art programme which saw 16 talented artists from across the country, transform Hereford's urban environment and we'd love to know what you think.