In 2026, I was commissioned by Wakefield Council to create artworks for a mural in the village of Stanley. The brief was to take inspiration from nearby nature reserves and the local rivers and canals.
4 themes were developed –
1 Urban Nature.
2 Stanley Ferry Flash (Newlands Nature Reserve) and river/canal environments
3 Stanley Marsh Nature Reserve
4 Nature on our doorstep
By visiting these places and documenting what I found there, I created a list of birds, plants, insects, and animals to include in the designs. I also consulted with people at Stanley Library, Stanley St Peter’s School, Stanley Residents Association and St Peter’s Church Centre, as well as the local ward councillors.
These were then drawn into local scenes and painted at community workshops in the village. 12 paintings were created in total, which, when scanned, enlarged and printed onto di-bond sheets, will form 4 triptychs, one for each theme.
Tony Wade 