To celebrate the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and showcase the heritage of Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick District Council commissioned a striking large-scale public art installation at Leamington Spa railway station. Graphic Arts Group was appointed to manufacture and install a permanent, eye-catching display that would welcome thousands of visitors while capturing the identity of the town through colour.
Warwick District Council is the local authority serving the Warwick district, responsible for community development, placemaking, culture, and infrastructure projects that enhance the area for residents and visitors alike.
Warwick District Council invited the public to submit colour suggestions representing what they associate with Royal Leamington Spa. Over 300 submissions were received during a month-long call-out. These were curated into a series of “super-sized” colour palettes, designed by Birmingham-based artist Stacey Barnfield, founder of The Colour Palette project.
Graphic Arts Group was tasked with producing and installing the final artwork within the pedestrian underpass at Leamington Spa Station. The installation formed part of the station’s refurbishment and was unveiled ahead of the Commonwealth Games, ensuring maximum visibility during a high-profile period for the town.
Production and installation of giant colour palette wall displays spanning 60+ metres
Use of high-quality, long-life materials including anti-graffiti vinyl
Installation of large wall-mounted panels designed for future reuse
Design refinement to create a bold central header for immediate visual recognition
Integration of a QR code linking to a dedicated webpage explaining each colour’s local significance
Full stakeholder collaboration from planning permission through to final installation
Collaborated with Warwick District Council and key stakeholders to develop a community-led public art concept that aligned with CultureFest and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games timeline.
Transformed over 300 public colour submissions into a striking large-scale colour palette installation, refining the artwork to maximise visual impact and visitor engagement.
Manufactured more than 60 metres of high-quality, long-life graphic panels using durable, anti-graffiti materials suitable for a high-traffic station environment.
Installed the permanent wall-mounted display within the refurbished Leamington Spa Station underpass in time for the Commonwealth Games launch.
Enhanced the original concept with a bold central header and integrated QR code, creating an interactive and future-ready display that can be refreshed with new artwork that can be used to showcase the area long after the event.
This project demonstrated the power of collaborative placemaking. By combining community engagement, creative design expertise, and practical production knowledge, the installation achieved both cultural significance and long-term functionality. Early stakeholder coordination — including planning, infrastructure teams, and creative contributors — was critical to delivering a high-impact, permanent solution within a live transport environment and tight event-driven deadline.
Graphic Arts Group was proud to support Warwick District Council in bringing the Commonwealth Games to life through vibrant, meaningful public art.
