THE busy crossroads at Greengates have been further brightened up thanks to three new pieces of street art on media boxes in the area.

The boxes - which are usually a plain, boring dark green - are part of an initiative brought to the area to provide new street art to transform the area, with two more set to be decorated in the future.

Bradford Street Art is the brainchild of Phylecia Sutherland, 36, who is originally from the USA, but moved to Otley - where her husband is from - 12 years ago and then relocated to Greengates in 2013.

She was inspired by seeing similar projects in other areas, such as installations done by the ‘Burley Banksy’ around Leeds - where boxes have been adorned with Leeds United heroes of past and present - and other artworks in parts of the city.

As well as brightening up the area, in parts of the village dominated by grey concrete and tarmac, she has also said it brings a feeling of togetherness.

“It just brought together the community, it’s just really wonderful,” she said.

“I started Bradford Street Art, the idea behind it is to foster community involvement and pride through art.”

Permission was granted by Virgin Media to decorate its boxes, and fundraising has taken place to support the artists decorating the boxes, commissioned by the Friends of Greengates Cenotaph group.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The boxes bring a splash of colour to the area

The first of the new boxes was completed in June, by Leicester-based artists Lily Rose Beal.

Located in New Line, at the junction with Brunswick Place, it features bright pastel colours decorated with daffodils and other flowers, brightening up the area with a pretty summer scene.

The third box was completed at the end of August, and is outside the Dog and Gun pub in Harrogate Road.

By Leeds-based artists Catherine Pape, it depicts the nearby Apperley Bridge Marina, including a sunny summer’s day, canal boats and an elegant swan, giving the area a real splash of colour.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The fourth piece was completed just a few days ago, and is a double box work in Harrogate Road, outside the Costa Coffee.

Celebrating Greengates, it features flowers and detailed stencils of the church, a deer, the cenotaph, a squirrel, and also features the Yorkshire Rose.

It’s the second piece done by Eccleshill-based artist Mike Granger, who also created the first artwork by Carr Bottom Road, which is a poignant remembrance scene featuring poppies, a soldier and graves.

Ms Sunderland is hoping that following the success of the Greengates project, it can be rolled out across the city.

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