Aug 2026
Charfield Rail Station Public Art Commission – Heritage Info Board
Deadline: 1st September 2026
Budget: £1,000 (artist design fee)
Are you an illustrator or graphic designer who enjoys creating welcoming and community-focused visual interpretations in public space?
OVERVIEW
We are commissioning the creation of a Heritage Info Board for the brand-new Charfield railway station in South Gloucestershire opening in Spring 2027. 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). To find out more about the wider scheme please look at the project website: Have Your Say Today – Charfield Train Station – Commonplace.
The deadline for submitting your submission is Tuesday 1st September 2026.
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.
BUDGET
£1,000 (artist design fee inclusive of VAT)
Sign manufacturing and install by South Gloucestershire Council.
TIMELINE
Open Call launches: Wednesday 5th August 2026
Open Call closes: Tuesday 1st September 2026
Production of artworks: September 2027 – November 2027
Installation of artworks on site: end November 2027
THINGS TO CONSIDER
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
EQUALITY & INCLUSION
We welcome applications from artists of all backgrounds and encourage diverse perspectives in response to this brief.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
If you would like to have an informal chat with us about this opportunity, please get in touch with info@severnside-rail.org.uk.
