Following the resounding success of last year’s inaugural mural commissions, ArtHouse Jersey is has announced the return of Art in the Arches for 2025.
This ambitious public art project will continue to transform Jersey’s iconic Elizabeth Marina with 14 vibrant new murals, created through a collaboration between
established local artists, school children and community groups.
The idea for the project originated with local resident Mary Venturini who sees mural art along the Elizabeth Marina as a way of bringing community art and a new cultural identity to the Island. Curated by artist and educator Jacqueline Rutter, this year’s project explores the theme ‘Out of the Blue’ – deliberately open-ended to inspire diverse interpretations around identity, sense of place, landfall, and surprise. The murals will be bold and visually engaging, designed to captivate visitors to the marina, both from a distance and up close while complementing the waterfront’s natural aesthetic.
Art in the Arches showcases ArtHouse Jersey’s commitment to inclusive arts programming, bringing together voices from across the Island’s diverse community.
Five accomplished local artists – Rian Hotton, Ben Robertson, Layla May Arthur, Aimée Cast, and Abi Overland – will each create individual murals.
Four local schools are central to the project: Hautlieu School, Jersey College for Girls, Springfield Primary, and Rouge Bouillon Primary. Both primary schools serve high percentages of second-language speakers and neurodiverse pupils, making their participation particularly meaningful for community representation.
Director of ArtHouse Jersey Tom Dingle said: “Art in the Arches 2025 embodies everything we believe in at ArtHouse Jersey – the power of art to bring communities together and transform public spaces. Seeing established local artists working alongside school children from across our Island’s diverse communities is incredibly inspiring.
“The ‘Out of the Blue’ theme has the potential to spark such creative responses, from Rouge Bouillon’s messages in bottles to Jersey College for Girls’ celebration of female voices. This project doesn’t just beautify Elizabeth Marina – it strengthens the cultural fabric of Jersey while giving our young people a platform to express their unique perspectives. We’re building something that will surprise and delight visitors for years to come.”
Artist, educator and curator, Jacqueline Rutter, said: “Art in the Arches has been for me all about community creativity connections and fun. It’s been an honour to work on this project, public art is so special as you connect with it while walking the dog or chatting with friends. Art can be so powerful it needs to respond to who sees it and give a voice to those who make it and that’s a huge responsibility. I’m proud of all the mural designs. With the schools I’ve had some inspiring conversations about looking after our planet, hopes and dreams for the future. Working with the families from CAMHS and Ocean Culture Life has been humbling. Being part of the joy of sharing art and nature with each other highlights what’s important in life.”
