South Western Railway’s (SWR) customers can feel the power of contemporary art with a new series of illustrations and artwork at Woking station.
Through the Station Adoption programme, SWR has partnered with two art charities based in Woking: The Lightbox and The Arts Society Guildford.
The Lightbox’s bright and colourful poster illustrations on the station’s footbridge reflects the charity’s philosophy that art has a power to make people feel good. The illustrations encourage those using the station to think about what helps their wellbeing: a chance to “take a moment”.
The creativity of local youngsters is also on display in the waiting room on platform 5. The Arts Society Guilford’s ‘Art @ the Station’ campaign, led by Liz Collins, is exhibiting a range of bright, colourful images from ‘early years’ children to detailed and thoughtful projects by GCSE students.
The Society has more displays at Guildford (in partnership with Network Rail), Farncombe, Ascot, Haslemere, Farnham stations, as well as other locations across the country. It plans to add London Road and Godalming soon.
Director of The Lightbox, Marilyn Scott, says of the campaign:
"New research by the Arts Council has found making and experiencing arts and culture transforms quality of life for individuals and communities. We’re extremely thankful to SWR for the opportunity to shout about what we do to such a vast local audience."
Cherry-Anne Russell, Head of Young Arts, The Arts Society said:
"The Art Society's ‘Art @ the Station’ and The Lightbox's uplifting wellbeing posters offer thought-provoking, important art for customers to engage customers with.
"SWR is leading the way in giving the station a sense of place and have loved developing the programme with Andy, The Association of Community Rail Partnerships and station staff. We look forward to working with other stations along the tracks!"
Liz Collins, Young Arts Representative at The Arts Society Guildford, said:
"'Art @ the Station’ is a fantastic platform for the students to display their artwork within a ‘real exhibition’. The pictures enhance the waiting room environment by starting conversations and putting smiles on passenger and rail staff faces."
Andy Harrowell, SWR’s Community Rail Manager, said:
"Our adoption scheme is a fantastic way for communities-based groups to become more involved with our stations. We’re absolutely delighted to have brought two very different, but complementary displays to Woking station, and hope to add a third one in the final waiting room in the future."
Some of the posters installed at Woking station:
Notes to editor
- The Lightbox is an award-winning charitable arts and heritage organisation with a social purpose to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of its community. More information can be found here: https://www.thelightbox.org.uk/.
- The Arts Society is a leading arts education charity with a global network of over 380 local Societies, which bring people together through a shared curiosity for the arts. More information can be found here: https://theartssociety.org/.
Station Adoption programme
- SWR offers support to any group which wishes to adopt their station, including providing funds to register the group with the Association of Community Rail Partnerships, the national body for adopters, as well as offering funds to support work.
- There are now 30 registered adopters across the network, from Upwey, Pinhoe and Crewkerne, up to Ascot, Brentford and Weybridge.
