Coventry schoolchildren create 32ft mural in city centre

Over half of children want to see more green spaces in their area, and better public recycling options

Author: Lia DesaiPublished 22nd May 2024

A huge 32ft mural, created by local school pupils, is being unveiled today, to celebrate Coventry's journey to becoming a greener city.

Children from schools in Coventry have played a huge part in the painting of the artwork in the city centre.

It depicts what children from across the UK believe a greener city could look like.

The piece (titled ‘Our Imagined Future’), designed by Coventry artists, Ben Barter and Katie O‘Sullivan, provides a futuristic vision of Coventry inspired by both conventional sustainable solutions and children’s imaginations.

Katie O’Sullivan said: “E.ON has been working with Coventry City Council to build a greener, sustainable future. It's something they're really passionate about, and they've done a lot of research with children across the UK, but also in Coventry, about their vision of what a greener future would look like.

“It's great to see that the kids are passionate about that. I've been working with the children from West Coventry Academy and Earlsdon Primary, and it's really important to get them involved. because it's their ideas. It's great for them to see what it's like to paint a mural, but also to have that sense of pride that they've created something and they're part of a sustainable and greener future - it's full of hope and positivity for the future.”

New research shows more than half (58%) of children want to see more parks and greener spaces in their local area, as well as more public recycling options (52%), with some children even suggesting litter picking robots (19%).

The mural will stand proud at the entrance to Coventry’s FarGo Village, and celebrates Coventry City Council and E.ON’s 15-year partnership to transform the city’s approach to carbon reduction.

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