A new mural has transformed a substation outside Havant’s Public Service Plaza, following a collaboration between Havant Borough Council staff and illustration students from the University of Portsmouth.
The artwork is centred on Cottonweed, an endangered plant species with strong links to the borough’s history.
Cottonweed was first recorded on Hayling Island more than 400 years ago by botanist John Goodyer. It is now the focus of conservation work led by Natural England.
The organisation is working to reintroduce the plant at Sinah Common, a Site of Special Scientific Interest on Hayling Island, as part of a national threatened species recovery programme.
The mural has been created as part of the Plaza Green Space Project, which aims to bring more art into the local community while highlighting the area’s natural environment and biodiversity.
Dr Simon Hobbs, Senior Lecturer in Visual Culture from the University of Portsmouth’s Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries, said: "This is an amazing opportunity for the University of Portsmouth's Illustration students to showcase their creative practice and have an impact on their local community. Issues surrounding sustainability are embedded within the Illustration BA(Hons) degree, and the students were keen to ensure the mural represented the unique biodiversity of Havant.
“Both the students and I are really thankful to Havant Borough Council for allowing us to paint this mural, and we hope this can be the first of many artistic collaborations.”
Councillor Antonia Harrison, Cabinet Lead for Communities, Active Wellbeing & Waterlooville Regeneration, added “It is wonderful that council staff were able to work in partnership with the talented students from the University of Portsmouth.
"This new mural forms part of the Plaza Green Space Project, a creative initiative to bring art to our local community. It stands as a great reminder of the power of art to inspire environmental awareness and highlight the biodiversity in our borough.”
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