Enfield’s Dugdale Arts Centre has been brought to life with a vibrant new mural, created entirely using second-hand paint that was saved from going to waste.
The large-scale artwork, spanning 180 degrees, was commissioned to celebrate sustainability, creativity and the community of Enflield. The staggering work can be found at Dugdale Art’s Centre: Enfield’s flagship Arts & Cultural hub.
Amazingly, the entire mural was completed for under £17. The initiative was supported by Enfield Council and other local organizations dedicated to environmental and cultural development.
The project was led by artist Alec Saunders, AKA Alecldn, who partnered with the North London Waste Authority, to exclusively use reclaimed paint sourced from Community RePaint East London at Forest Recycling Project, as well reusable paint collected by NLWA at their recycling centres – another member of the Community RePaint network.
When asked abut his experience using preloved paint, artist Alec Saunders is a self proclaimed reclaimed paint convert.
“I was initially unsure about using reclaimed paint, but I was bowled over by the quality. The coverage & opacity was excellent, the colors were vibrant, and the finish was just as good as brand-new paint.” He said.
When asked why he was so keen to be involved in the project, Alec replied; “Sustainability is one of my core values as an artist and it felt great knowing I was making an eco-friendly choice by reducing waste. I’ll be trying to use reclaimed paint in most of my work going forward and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sustainable and high-quality option!”
In addition to painting the mural, Alecldn engaged with the local community through sustainability workshops, collaborating with residents and students from St. Anne’s school to shape the design. The themes of the mural reflect Enfield’s rich cultural heritage, incorporating elements of nature, community spirit, music, and the area’s manufacturing legacy.
As the Dugdale Arts Centre continues to serve as a hub for cultural expression, this mural serves as a great inspiration to all artists wanting to combine their creative out with sustainable materials. Our congratulations go to Alecldn and all the organisations involved in bring this inspiration project to life!
If you’re a artist looking for preloved paint or just needing paint to redecorate your home, you can search for your local Community RePaint branch here.