Stroud’s bus shelters have been given a colourful new look, with seven shelters across the town now featuring vibrant artwork created in collaboration with local schools and professional artists.
The artwork is the result of Better Bus Stops Stroud, a Stroud Town Council project that brought pupils from local schools together with artists to rethink what public spaces can look and feel like. From painted panels to vinyl installations, each shelter reflects ideas developed directly by children through creative workshops.
Each shelter tells its own story. Designs range from leaf patterns created using real plants, to joyful characters inspired by Stroud Farmers’ Market, expressive lettering imagining what a bus shelter might say if it could speak, and bold patterns reflecting connection and community. Students made creative decisions and can see their actual drawings in the finished artwork at their bus shelter.
Every completed shelter includes a QR code, which will link to a short video showing how the designs were developed – from workshops with children, to installations and bus shelter visits with the classes. There is also a reporting function, so passers-by can report problems directly to Stroud Town Council.
Cllr Adrian Oldman said: “This project shows what’s possible when we put creativity and community at the heart of public spaces. These artworks celebrate young people’s voices and make everyday places more welcoming and interesting for everyone.”
Students said that throughout the workshops they felt proud, inspired and excited to see their ideas brought to life.
The new artwork can now be seen at bus shelters across Stroud. Passers-by are encouraged to look out for the new designs and scan the QR codes to watch the stories behind each shelter. Videos will be added in stages as each school visit takes place.
