19-05-2025
‘Vibrant' Metrolink mural provides ‘much-improved gateway' to town
A new piece of public art is brightening up the approach to a tram stop.
'On Our Way' was produced by artists Tracey Cartledge and Oskar and co-created with members of the nearby Creative Living Centre (CLC), who help people recover from mental illness.
CLC members took part in artist-led workshops with Tracey to create individual mosaic pieces that are incorporated into the design and some of them painted elements of the mural with Oskar. CLC said the result is a 'dynamic and inclusive artwork that reflects the spirit of the community and provides an improved gateway to the tram stop and Prestwich'.
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Tracey said 'It has been a real pleasure to be part of this project. 'Collaborating with Oskar to plan, design and execute the installation was a new, interesting and very positive experience for both of us.
'I enjoyed facilitating the afternoon mosaic session at the wonderful Creative Living Centre. 'The staff were absolutely brilliant and the participants were completely engaged and very capably produced a set of beautiful mosaic details to enhance the mural.'
The project was also supported by Prestwich Arts Festival, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Keolis Amey Metrolink (KAM). Jane Thomson, chair of Prestwich Arts Festival said: 'This is the fourth mural that Prestwich Arts Festival have brought to the town to contribute to its placemaking.
'We're especially delighted that this latest work includes contributions from local people thanks to the team and members of CLC. 'It is a great showcase of the value of arts to wellbeing and mental health.'
Ian Davies, TfGM's network director Metrolink, said: 'This new mural at Prestwich tram stop is very much in the spirit of the Bee Network, with its strong focus on community and inclusion. 'We're proud to have teamed up to deliver this vibrant and much-improved gateway to the stop.
'Our public transport network should be attractive, safe and welcoming to everyone – and what better way to achieve that than involving local people in a project that benefits both themselves and their community.'
This year's Prestwich Arts Festival will run September 26-28.
