EditorLocal children envision Port Talbot’s future in vivid new murals
Children reimagine their town beneath the motorway
On Ynys Street, under the shadow of the M4, pupils aged 7 to 11 have transformed grey concrete into a canvas of colour. Through Swansea University’s Steeltown Storybook: Children’s Chapter, workshops encouraged them to explore Port Talbot’s history, identity and future — from clay modelling to podcasting and photography.
From flying cars to DJ aliens: visions of a brighter future
The children’s ideas ranged from Aberavon Beach and Taibach Memorial Park to dreams of steel museums, flying cars and even DJ aliens soundtracking the town’s future.
One pupil summed up the mood:
“We’d like the town to be more vibrant and colourful with painting under bridges and more graffiti projects, we hope that scientists will discover new colours.”
StoryLocal artists bring children’s voices to the walls
Turning those imaginative sketches into reality fell to local collective THEW CREW. Artists Ryan Lee Davies and Matthew Cole said they wanted the murals to reflect the children’s eyes: colourful, happy and full of pride.
“As local lads who’ve grown up in the community, we are grateful to have had the opportunity to take the children’s ideas and turn them into a piece of art that represents the past, present and future of our town,” they said. “We tried to make the murals as seen through the children’s eyes – nice, colourful, and happy, and we really hope everyone enjoys it.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBywhn_zZvo
Challenging the story of decline with colour and hope
Project organisers say the murals do more than brighten a wall — they challenge the narrative that Port Talbot’s industrial transition leaves little hope for the future. Swansea University researchers argue the children’s voices show a community that still sees possibility, not just loss.
The project was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Impact Accelerator Account and brought together schools, artists and community groups including Raspberry Creatives, Families First and Neath Port Talbot Council.
Emily Adams, History PhD candidate, said:
“By centring the voices of young people, this project has challenged dominant narratives about Port Talbot. Headlines sparked by the ongoing industrial transition would suggest a town without hope for the future, but over 200 local children have creatively shown that this is not their reality.”
Dr Michaela James added:
“The United Nations calls for all children and young people to have a voice on matters that affect them. I think this project is a fantastic example of what we can learn from listening to these voices.”
Jack Palmer, Co‑Production Officer at HDRUK Wales, said the children’s pride and passion for their home was “inspiring” and urged decision‑makers to take their suggestions to heart.
What comes next for Steeltown Storybook
With new funding secured, the team plans to continue amplifying children’s ideas — from tackling pollution to opening more youth clubs. And this November, the public will get a behind‑the‑scenes look at the project during the Being Human Festival’s Steeltown Schoolkids exhibition at The Art Space on Station Road.
The team has secured further AHRC funding to continue platforming children’s hopes for the future — from reducing pollution to brightening public spaces and opening more youth clubs.
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