A gas substation in Nottingham's Sherwood neighborhood that had become an eyesore due to offensive graffiti has been completely transformed with a stunning forest-themed mural. The building on Danethorpe Vale Road was covered with inappropriate words and images before artist Anna Wheelhouse stepped in to give it a complete makeover, turning the vandalized structure into a work of art that celebrates the local community.
The transformation began when a local resident approached Wheelhouse after seeing her previous work on Sherwood's Robin Hood pub, where she had painted scenes of Sherwood Forest and the famous Major Oak. The resident was concerned about the offensive nature of the graffiti that had accumulated on the gas substation and asked what could be done to address the problem. Wheelhouse, 42, immediately saw the potential to create something beautiful for the community.
Cadent Gas, the company that owns the substation, embraced the idea and provided £1,500 in funding for the mural project. The company was enthusiastic about the proposal, recognizing it as an opportunity to improve a facility that serves an important function in keeping gas flowing to Sherwood residents. Tom Ballard, head of safety and engineering for Cadent in the East Midlands, expressed pride in the final result, noting that the mural "improves the look of a site that helps to keep gas flowing to the people of Sherwood" while giving it "a real local feel."
Wheelhouse completed the ambitious project over three days, working in what she described as "baking heat." Despite the challenging conditions, she said she was "really pleased to have been able to help out" the community. The artist explained her perspective on graffiti, saying, "I don't have a problem with people expressing themselves with graffiti if it's proper graffiti, but this was kids messing and writing silly words." The original graffiti included both "rude words" and "rude pictures" that had made the building an eyesore for local residents.
The community response to the transformation has been overwhelmingly positive. Wheelhouse reported that "the locals have been lovely, everyone's been really chatty about it and said thank you which is really nice." The positive reception reflects the significant impact that public art can have on neighborhood pride and community spirit.
Wheelhouse's journey into nature-themed artwork began with a request from a Stapleford resident who wanted her to paint his house. The elderly homeowner had a beautiful garden and contacted her with specific requests for the plants he wanted depicted. That project generated significant interest, with many people stopping by to ask about the artwork. This positive response inspired Wheelhouse to focus more on nature themes, which she says she "really enjoys" creating. The success of that initial project ultimately led to her current specialization in natural scenes and her involvement with the Sherwood substation transformation.
