Looking down at a table full of coloured pens and pencils both on the table and in pots on the table. There are also some perspex hexagons. These are going to be used for Contributing to a Community Art Project

Contributing to a Community Art Project

16th November 2025 - New Experience Number 25.

Jump to 'Try it yourself'

Contributing to a Community Art Project began with simple curiosity and a desire to try something new. I’m always on the lookout for things to do towards my challenge of trying 52 new things in the year and this was a little different.

I didn’t know what to expect, but discovered a creative community, a shared sense of place, and the joy of being part of something collective.

Contributing to a Community Art Project - The Walmgate Reframed Project

Walmgate is a street in York that’s often overlooked, despite being just minutes from the city centre. My Other Half’s dad grew up there and often shares stories of what life was like when he was growing up in the area. 

Today, Walmgate feels very different, home to independent shops, great food, and a growing number of creative spaces.

To celebrate the area’s rich history, strong sense of community and creative spirit, York University and York Creatives came together launching a project called Walmgate Reframed.

Looking to bring residents, businesses and artists together to help reimagine public spaces through art, Walmgate Reframed would shine a light on the neighbourhood.

One of the key outputs of the project was an art installation chosen through an open call and community consultation.

This would be a piece of artwork for the people made with the involvement of the local community. Holding workshops for people to join in,  I decided I’d give it a go and see how I could contribute. 

Walmgate Bar, a stone archway with a white building and pillars. This is an entrance to Walmgate in York. The picture is taken in daylight after rain.
The impressive Walmgate Bar, one of the entrances to the city of York within the bar walls.
Looking along Walmgate in York. It is a street that looks damp from recent rain. There are brick buildings along either side of the street,
Walmgate with plenty of shops, eateries, and places to get creative.

Swarmgate Community Art Installation

Anwering the open call was Gemma Wood, an artist from nearby Pocklington. Her proposal was called Swarmgate. As a lover of a pun I was already a big fan of the idea!

Gemma’s creation was rooted in the people of Walmgate – those who live, work and pass through the area. It was inspired by York’s beekeeping heritage. Her proposal featured glowing, resin-cast bees that would be installed along the street. Powered by solar energy, they would light up the wall and form part of an interactive trail running through Walmgate.

The concept reflected the way people on the street come together as a community. It also nodded to an old tradition I’d never heard of before: telling the bees. Historically, beekeepers would share news of local life with their hives to keep the bees informed and content.

The aim of the artwork was to encourage people into the area and showcase Walmgate as a buzzing part of the city.

A table with plastic and wooden hexagons on it. Some wooden hexagons have been decorated with bee imagery.
Creating part of the Swarmgate interactive trail

A Local Workshop - Contributing to a Community Art Project

A final workshop was being held inviting local people to engage with the concept of Swarmgate and to find out more about it.

It sounded like a great way to discover what was happening on my doorstep, and an opportunity to try something new. I wasn’t sure how much I’d be able to contribute, or whether I’d feel out of place as a non-artist, but there was only one way to find out.

The church hall was a hive of activity. Members of York Creatives, (a community-led network that brings together different creative industries), were running different stations inviting us to share our experiences of Walmgate.

An old typewriter on a table. There is paper in the typewriter with some typing on it, and paper is around the table.
One of the different ways of getting involved in the Swarmgate project

How I Got Involved

I met Gemma, the artist, and chatted with her about Swarmgate. She was genuinely inspiring; her passion and enthusiasm for the project were infectious.

Part of the Swarmgate project was  going to be an interactive trail which was where we could get involved. Using wooden or perspex hexagons for the canvas, we were invited to add our own artwork to them. I’m not particularly artistic, but I drew a bee. 

Focusing on words about Walmgate, another table had lots of different prompts and cues to inspire us to create some poetry about the area. Blindly picking 5 words from the selection, I used them to create my own short verse.

Some of the other locals at the workshop read out their poetry. It was incredible to hear the same place described from different angles and view points.

I’m not sure how easy it will be to see my tiny contribution, but it was fun to be a part of, to learn about the history of Walmgate, and to meet the artists and creatives behind it.

A bee dran on a yellow perspex hexagon. It is not entirely coloured in yet and is a work in progress when Contributing to a Community Art Project
My bee was starting to take shape...
A yellow perspex hexagon with a bee drawn on it. Part of Contributing to a Community Art Project
...and here's the final finished result!
Lots of individual words on white backgrounds strewn across a table. These are poetry prompts to help people Contributing to a Community Art Project
A lot of prompts for creating Walmgate inspired poetry

Being A Part Of The Community

I really enjoyed playing a small role in Swarmgate. Learning how the installation came together – and understanding the thinking behind it – helped me scratch beneath the surface of the project.

It was so nice that an often forgotten about area of York was getting a bit of love and attention.

Individual bees can do good things alone, but great things together. I loved playing a small part in something bigger and feeling more connected to my local community.

Challenge Fifty-Two, a white woman with dark hair. She is sitting at a table inside a big hall and is smiling at the camera as she shows her finished bee artwork that she made when Contributing to a Community Art Project
Not the most artistic bee, but I really enjoyed gettin involved with the project.

Now it was a waiting game for the launch night. Would my contribution make the cut?!

Experiences Build Connections

Trying 52 new things a year has shown me that new experiences don’t always have to push us far outside our comfort zones to help us learn and grow.

Sometimes, the chance to do something a little different is right under our noses — we just need to slow down, notice it, and say yes.

Want To Try It Yourself?

  • If you’re in York, it’s worth keeping an eye on York Creatives. They’re a really active network and there’s always lots going on. 
  • You can find out more about the Walmgate reframed project here
  • If you’re not in York, have a search online to see if there’s anything happening in your local area. 
  • Keep an eye out for notice boards. Many community projects advertise on them.

Cost Of Experience

  • Free!
  • It didn’t cost anything to get involved. 

Recommendations

  • Unleash your creativity. If you’re looking for an artistic outlet with a difference, a community art project is a great opportunity to do something. 
  • Your knowledge is your talent. If you don’t think you have the artistic ability to get involved with a community art project, you can still be a part of it. Local knowledge is often very much welcomed at these sorts of things. 
  • Take some pictures. If you do get to give it a go, please do take some pictures and let me know how you got on. 

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