Heritage Information Board

Are you an illustrator or graphic designer who enjoys creating welcoming and community-focused visual interpretations in public space?

We are excited to commission an artist to design a new Heritage Info Board for the brand-new Charfield railway station in South Gloucestershire opening in Spring 2027.

Exploring the historic station complex and its uses, the board will contribute to the station’s welcoming, inclusive and friendly character. We are looking for bold, colourful as well as heritage adapt approaches to the design.

OVERVIEW

The interpretation board forms part of Charfield station’s colourful and creative character and will tell the story of the station through historic milestones.

We are looking for an emerging artist / designer to develop a layout for this welcoming station environment, celebrating local identity through visual art.

The project is being delivered by Severnside Community Rail Partnership (SCRP) in collaboration with South Gloucestershire Council and Network Rail and GWR, with funding provided by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA).

The deadline for submitting your submission is September 1st 2026

Budget £1000 (design fee only). The board will be manufactured and installed by South Gloucestershire Council.

CONTEXT

Charfield has a rich cultural history dating back to the Domesday survey in 1086. The oldest settlement was likely at Churchend, where the valley clays met the lighter soils. The parish church of St. James at Churchend dates from the 13th century and is a grade I listed building. Charfield's boundaries have evolved over time, with the parish being smaller than its neighbouring parishes and lying on the western slopes of the Little Avon valley.

The village has seen various developments, including new housing areas and the reopening of the Charfield railway station, which is currently in construction and will be the final location of these artworks. Through opening this station, Charfield will be reconnected to the railway network after almost 60 years, making sustainable public transport more accessible for rural communities.

Key history milestones and text copy for the design of the Heritage Info Board will be curated by local stakeholders and shared with the artist upon successful application.

Final dimensions for the design are to be agreed on with the panel, but we are expecting a size no larger than 2 metres x 1metres.

The Heritage Info Board should be designed to be mounted on an approved frame system. The mounting frame and install will be arranged by the funder and is covered through a separate budget.

The design should be original (not infringing third‑party copyright), and be free of political messaging, explicit content, or advertising.

SUBMITTING YOUR PROPOSAL

Please send your application to info@severnside-rail.org.uk with the Title/Subject header ‘CHARFIELD PUBLIC ART COMMISSION 2 - Your Name’

Your application should contain the following (ideally compiled in one PDF of no more than 10Mb):

• A short artist biography including website link (250 words max)
• A 5-page portfolio with past relevant work

COMMISSIONING PROCESS

The Commissioning Panel will shortlist and select the commissioned artist and guide the art production process, which will be project managed by Severnside Community Rail Partnership (SCRP).

Selection will be based on:

• Your previous practice
• Your methodology and potential to respond to the theme and site