Charfield Rail Station Public Art Commission – Sculpture  

 

Deadline: 22nd July 2026 

Budget: £14,000 (artist fee + materials) 

 

Are you an artist with experience in creating public artwork centred on local heritage and community? Do you have a strong sense of place, materials, and a co-design practice? 

Then we would like to hear from you!

 

OVERVIEW 

We are commissioning the creation of a permanent public artwork for the brand-new Charfield railway station in South Gloucestershire opening in Spring 2027.  

This is an exciting opportunity for an artist to co-develop a distinctive, high-quality sculpture in response to Charfield’s history, heritage, and connection to the railway. 

We are looking for an experienced, collaboratively minded creative to work directly with residents, community groups, and local stakeholders. The designs should use sympathetic materials that complement the Grade II listed structures and create a welcoming station environment celebrating local identity. 

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 Wednesday 22nd July 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. 

For this public art commission, we are interested in creative and material-aware approaches weaving in local history focused on  

– The original station which opened in 1844 

– The unique architecture of the intact Grade II listed Brunel-designed station buildings 

– Local Victorian coal wharfs  

 

 

BUDGET 

£14,000 (artist fee & material costs inclusive of VAT) 

 

TIMELINE  

Open Call launches: Wed 24th June 2026 

Open Call closes: Wed  22nd July 2026 

Decision made/ Artists notified: w/c Mon 27th July 2026 

Production of artworks: August 2027 – October 2027 

Installation of artworks on site: end October 2027 

 

THINGS TO CONSIDER 

The artwork must use safe, durable materials and installation methods, with a minimum lifespan of 15 years to withstand a busy urban environment, with pedestrians in the immediate surroundings. 

The site-specific pieces will be visible on foot from the walkways around the station forecourt, enhancing the welcoming atmosphere of the entrance areas. 

The artwork will be installed in an area of 4.5×3 metres and can be designed with a maximum height of 2 metres.  

 

SUBMITTING YOUR PROPOSAL 

Please send your application to info@severnside-rail.org.uk with the Title/Subject header ‘Charfield Public Art Commission 1 – 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) 

– Your artwork proposal including details on your making processes, materials and related previous experience (400 words max) 

– Examples of times you have worked with the public within an arts project (150 words max) 

– A 5-page portfolio with past relevant work 

– A brief budget outline (including artist fee for research and development, community engagement, production, and travel) 

 

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: 

– The quality and originality of your idea 

– Your previous practice 

– Your methodology and potential to respond to the theme and site 

Local research and engagement with key stakeholders are essential to the development of the commissioned artwork. We will prioritise artists who have a clear vision of how they will communicate ideas and themes discovered through the initial research phase.

 

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 simone@severnside-rail.org.uk.