TWO Bradford district town centres have been decorated with work of artists as part of an ongoing council project.

The banners, which have been created by local artists, are being installed in Shipley and Bingley by their market squares.

Named ‘Put the Hip in Shipley’ and ‘Rise and Shine Bingley’, the banners in each of the town centres form group exhibitions by some of the most exciting new and established artists, from across the Bradford district.

The banners have been curated by artist Jenna Greenwood and also include the work of 12 other artists, with printmakers, illustrators, painters, designers and creatives of every kind coming together to make banners to display a snapshot of local creativity and bring even more colour and life to the district this spring.

This is part of Bradford Council’s Spring Back 2022 campaign which is designed to encourage people to rediscover their local town or neighbourhood high street.

The local authority has commissioned local artists to create an exciting and eclectic array of unique artwork across the district as part of the campaign which has also seen six family friendly events already take place.

Artwork that has already been put in place includes shutters and walls painted to brighten up a parade of shops in Holmewood, street bollards in Windhill transformed in to beautiful paintings and canvases and windows in Ilkley town centre have also been painted.

Trapezium Arts and documentary photographer Cath Muldowney will be joining forces to bring high quality and eye-catching photographic portraits to vacant shopfronts in Great Horton, Wibsey and Queensbury.

The Streets Ahead project features faces from local businesses, community groups and residents who live, work and play in the areas in a tableau highlighting the positive human qualities of local people and the district’s distinctive cultural identity. These stunning photographs are a modern interpretation of ‘tronies’ - a style of old-fashioned portraiture.

People Powered Paste-Ups are creating a paste-up gallery of public poetry and prose including three giant murals all created and hand-printed on the People Powered Press, the world’s largest printing press of its kind, which is based in Saltaire.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “The artworks will be a wonderful addition to our town centres, and we hope that they will brighten the day of residents and visitors when they see them.

“The displays will bring to life our high streets and town centres, and will help give a boost to our local high street businesses.”