Teen artists turn blank walls into bold mural at Maidenhead Community Centre

Students from a Maidenhead art school have added a splash of colour to a local community hub after completing a striking new mural.

Young artists from Artspiration transformed a previously plain, windowless waiting area at Maidenhead Community Centre into a bright and welcoming space.

The project reflects the school’s long-standing aim of using art to build confidence and community connections.

Artspiration, which is based in Maidenhead, teaches drawing and painting to children from the age of five, guiding them through a structured programme as their skills develop.

As students reach their teenage years, they are encouraged to take on more ambitious work beyond the classroom.

The community centre mural offered just such a challenge.

Founder Shalini Nayak told the Advertiser: “Art can be a solitary process. This collaborative work got even the quietest in the class talking.

“It was such a joy to see them all discussing, consulting, making decisions, taking responsibility, helping each other, etc.

“I am super proud, but also know they can do more. My job is to bring out that ‘more’ in them.”

Painting on a large scale provided students with valuable experience of working in a real public space, and the mural was entirely student-led, from the initial design through to its completion.

Student Maanya Pai led the project, coordinating 18 students over six sessions.

She said: "Working on the mural project with my friends and Shalini has been such a wonderful experience.

“I am very grateful for this opportunity.

“I hope the mural brings as much joy to others as it does to me.”

This project marked a first for the school, which previously collaborated with professional artists on public murals, including an outdoor piece at Furze Platt War Memorial Hall created for the venue’s centenary.

Another student, Vidhi Chheda, added: “The mural was a real team effort from start to finish.

“We began by sharing ideas and sketching together, then worked collaboratively, layer by layer, helping each other along the way.

“Seeing everyone’s styles come together into one artwork made it a combination of all aspects.

“The results were a mixture of teamwork and resilience, which was very rewarding.

“This was a great opportunity, and I would love to do it again.”

The finished artwork, designed to bring ‘the outdoors inside’, can now be enjoyed by everyone visiting Maidenhead Community Centre.

Student Willow Helén-Goldring added: “I enjoyed the amazing opportunity and fun collaborative aspect of this project. It was my first time painting birds like this.”

The school continues to offer a broad range of artistic experiences, including life drawing, portraiture, sculpture and design.

It regularly welcomes specialist artists from London and Bristol to teach traditional techniques such as egg tempera, gold leaf, and Indian miniature painting.

Community groups and charities interested in working with Artspiration are invited to get in touch.