In collaboration with Portsmouth City Council, we are proud to support a new street art mural, a vibrant addition to the improved walking and cycling route in Southsea.

As part of Portsmouth Creates’ initiative to support local talent, this project paired emerging artist Elizabeth Oluyede with experienced mentor artist Neequaye Dsane. This collaboration allowed Elizabeth to learn and work with a seasoned professional, to develop her skills and build confidence in her artistic practice.

“This opportunity was really special for me as a young creative. A chance to produce a mural and add to the Portsmouth community is an amazing opportunity. This mural is my first commission, it is exciting that it is in such a public place. Working with Neequaye has been enlightening. Painting at such a scale was a challenge, but his mentorship allowed me to understand the process. I had a lot of fun and I am so proud of the outcome,” said Elizabeth Oluyede.

Neequaye Dsane also reflected on the experience, stating, “This was such a fantastic project to have been involved in. Elizabeth worked so hard and got the hang of using spray-paint really quickly. I saw her grow in confidence as the mural developed and it was great to see it be so well received by the local community. We are both really happy with the outcome and I know that she will use much of what she learned in her studies and beyond.”

Gemma Nichols, Chief Executive of Portsmouth Creates, emphasized the importance of such mentorship programs: “Mentorship programs like this are crucial for nurturing local talent and ensuring that emerging artists have the resources and support they need to succeed. By providing unique and accessible platforms for young artists to showcase their work such as this one, Portsmouth is not only investing in the talent of the future but also using creativity to add to the vibrancy of our city and its environment.

Portsmouth City Council as part of the East West Active Travel Corridor, recently completed work on the popular shared path between Aldwell Street and River’s Street to Somerstown Hub. They have been working hard to improve the experience for everyone travelling alongside Winston Churchill Avenue and the route now features a wider and more open path for people walking, wheeling, cycling, or riding rental e-scooters, and the new mural is a bright and creative contribution to the space. The new art piece joins other street art in the area, created for Portsmouth’s Look Up festival in September 2023.

As well as the new artwork, the route has also been made safer with enhanced lighting and the introduction of CCTV monitoring. Additionally, 25 new trees planted throughout the route help to create more diverse green spaces, bringing nature into the city.

This project aligns with Portsmouth Creates’ strategic objectives of driving growth, talent, and inclusion for creatives and communities through co-creation, building capacity and access pathways. It also highlights the organisation’s commitment to nurturing talent through business support, shared learning, and developing new commissioning opportunities.

The new mural in Southsea stands as a testament to the positive impact of mentorship and the thriving artistic community in Portsmouth. It serves as an inspiration for other young creatives, showing them that with the right support and opportunities, their artistic dreams can become a reality.