South Street starts to shine with new street art

Published: 28 March 2023

A street in Exeter is starting to shine thanks to a new initiative that aims to celebrate and enhance the area.

The South Street Shine project got underway today (Tuesday 28 March) with interactive street art hitting the street.

Local artist Scott Walker (www.upagainstthewall.co.uk) got the initiative into gear with some stunning interactive cartoon illustrations at the top of South Street, outside Skipton Building Society.

Members of the community will be invited to help colour in the creative characters that Scott has hand drawn.

South Street Shine is led by InExeter, the business improvement district for Exeter city centre and aims to celebrate this key part of the city and help it to flourish in the future. Some of the funding for the scheme comes from Safer Exeter’s Community Sparks scheme.

Events Manager Marina O’Shea, who has organised the interactive art for South Street Shine, said: “It is wonderful to be activating South Street with this art installation where the whole community can get involved, help celebrate their area and have ownership of the street.”

Projects Manager Mattie Richardson has coordinated the repainting of the current bench seating in South Street and wildflowers will be sown around the benches and pop-up planters to bring colour and vibrancy to the area.

Mattie said: “It is fantastic to be able to activate a new area of the city with planting for 2023. These colourful floral displays enhance the streetscape and soften the urban environment.”

Each planter has been adopted by businesses in South Street who will become custodians of their planters to ensure they grow and thrive.