A chance conversation, a supply of reused paint, and a city-wide celebration of street art in Chelmsford.
At Community RePaint , we’re proud to have played a central role in this year’s Concrete Canvas Street Art Festival in Chelmsford—helping bring vibrant new artwork to life across the city while also creating meaningful connections along the way.
Through our paint reuse hub at Maldon Recycling Centre in Essex—operated in partnership with Essex County Council—we supplied a substantial volume of redistributed paint free of charge to support the festival, providing the essential base for 30 new murals that have transformed walls and public spaces across Chelmsford into a vibrant outdoor gallery.
Candy Joyce, Project Manager for Concrete Canvas, highlighted just how vital this support was:
“Your paint literally provided the foundation for our festival.”
But the impact of Community RePaint went far beyond supplying materials.
While collecting paint from the Maldon hub, Candy struck up a conversation with Mick, a member of the team. During their chat, Mick mentioned his son-in-law, Dan Edgley—a talented artist who had yet to showcase his work at a street art festival. That simple, everyday conversation led to an unexpected opportunity. Encouraged by the connection, Dan quickly got in touch with the festival organisers. He was soon offered a space and went on to create a mural in a prominent location within Chelmsford’s Meadows Shopping Centre.
Reflecting on the moment, Candy said:
“This connection simply wouldn’t have happened without Community RePaint bringing people together.”
For Dan Edgley—also known as @edgewrks—the experience marked a major milestone. Despite his evident talent, this was his first time taking part in a street art festival. His mural, titled “Feel the fear and do it anyway,” stood out as a bold and personal piece, capturing attention and resonating with passers-by.
Dan shared:
“I absolutely loved taking part and have been a bit overwhelmed by the reaction.”
His work quickly gained wider recognition too, earning a shout-out on BBC Radio Essex.
Find out more
If you’re planning a project, redecorating your home or supporting a community initiative, Community RePaint could help. Visit our hub directory or contact your local hub to help end paint waste for good.