What is public art?
Sometimes we have big ideas that stand or return long after that year’s Art Trail has ended. When we get the funding and the artists for these big ideas, we keep on celebrating them. On the ‘Mural Trail’, we have also included public art that we haven’t commissioned; we want to champion the creativity it brings to Kirkstall.
What is the mural trail?
Whilst you are walking around the main Art Trail, you may spot murals and public art, and we want you to know more about them and the artists behind them. You may even complete it as a standalone trail and almost all the art will be there long after we’ve packed up for the weekend.
The list below is in chronological order; from newest to oldest. See the 2026 Art Trail map for all the ‘Mural Trail’ locations.
Church Lane allotments mural
Live art project, 2026
Church Lane allotments are home to two small shipping containers, perfect for keeping tools safe. These containers also need a revamp to inspire the many growers who have a plot here. Street artist, Apex Studios, has been given the task, and you can watch the progress as he paints in person over the Art Trail weekend.
Image is an example of artist’s prior work.
Find it at Venue 16
what3words ///rich.palace.vast
Church Street mural
Live art project, 2026
As a precursor to a much larger project taking shape in 2027, Jemima Spence will be painting a garden wall with a surrealist mural. The house at 23 Church Street is a perfect canvas waiting for a bold design to transform it.
Image is an example of artist’s prior work.
Find it at Venue 18
what3words ///chat.humble.toast
The Art Yard mural
Live art project, 2026
The ‘Art Yard’ is home to light industrial units. As a newer venue on the Art Trail, for this year the yard is getting a makeover. Artist Adina Wykes will be transforming the concrete boundary wall into a work of art. You can watch her progress during the Art Trail as the mural takes shape.
Image is an example of artist’s prior work.
Find it at Venue 21
what3words ///cheeks.tribune.sober
Robot Fox
Mural, 2025
The ‘Robot Fox’ was painted by street artist Apex Studios during the 2025 Art Trail. Braving the torrential rain that weekend, he managed to transform the terrace gable end from a wall blighted by graffiti tags into a colourful standout piece.
Find it on Vicarage Terrace
what3words ///dine.offer.bronze
Railway underpass
Mural, 2025
After the underpass on Vicarage Terrace suffered from antisocial behaviour and arson, artists Jamie Steward and Eliot Wigzell were commissioned to repaint the walls. They chose a theme of nature, and the work was completed just in time for the 2025 Kirkstall Art Trail. The mural significantly improves the appearance of the area.
Find it on Vicarage Terrace
what3words ///locals.format.drives
KAT letters
Public sculpture, 2024
Designed by Jon Simmons and built by Matt Sykes-Hoban. The KAT letters first appeared in 2024; their presence now signals the month lead-up to the Art Trail.
The project gave opportunities to young people from The Skill Mill. CEG have partnered with the Leeds branch of the social enterprise The Skill Mill since February 2016, providing work and training opportunities on-site at Kirkstall Forge for young people who have been involved with the Youth Offending Service. The project was funded by CEG, Kirkstall Forge.
Find it at Venue 15, Stephen’s Church
what3words ///chops.trip.ideas
Kirkstall Crusaders
Mural, 2023
Jamie Steward painted the Kirkstall Crusaders mural for the art trail in 2023. It’s a celebration of the club and all it has offered to boys and girls of all ages and their families for well over two decades. Look carefully, and you can spot three generations from the same family who played for the club. There’s also an international star who graced their pitches there too.
Kirkstall Crusaders FC are very much a community club with players from all kinds of backgrounds. They support women’s football through their successful U16 and women’s open-age teams. These teams lead the way for younger girls to be inspired to play for Kirkstall Crusaders FC. They aim to make space to support disability sport to grow.
Find it near Venue 16 on Queenswood Drive Playing Fields
what3words ///dozed.inches.storms
Lilac Grove
Mosaic
The large and colourful mosaic was created by the residents of Lilac Grove. The design represents the community’s cooperative and ecological ethos by featuring play, the natural environment, and shared living.
Find it at Venue 24
what3words ///twins.ranch.market
Latent Power
Public sculpture, 2019
In 2017, the Leeds City Council’s Town and District Centre Regeneration Scheme sought to bring public art to the heart of Kirkstall. They commissioned Rebecca Appleby to create the work as part of East Street Arts’ public art programme, A City Less Grey.
The resulting work, ‘Latent Power’, is a striking yellow, bold, large-scale abstract sculpture. It takes inspiration from local heritage and the industrial landscape. It references the waterwheel that played an important role in Kirkstall’s economic development. Rebecca Appleby, who was brought up in nearby Burley, worked with the local community to help inform her design. ‘Latent Power’ was officially unveiled on Friday, 19 July, to coincide with the 2019 Kirkstall Art Trail.
Find it near Venue 21, Kirkstall Leisure Centre
what3words ///pitch.clever.muddy
Drink and Be Grateful
Mosaic, 2017
The little road side garden is home to the historic Drink and Be Grateful Fountain. It which was originally erected in 1865, back when Kirkstall was a semi-rural, industrialised village and the Normans would have still been grassland. The gardens are now kept looking colourful by Kirkstall in Bloom, but they also feature an impressive mosaic mural.
The mosaic was installed by Seagulls and artist Alison Gordon, with funding from Leeds City Council’s Town and District Centre Regeneration Scheme. They worked with more than 500 schoolchildren and eight community groups to create the mosaic. Alison Gordon, who was a local resident for many years, helps to maintain the painting and mosaic, keeping it looking fresh.
Find it opposite Venue 21, Kirkstall Leisure Centre
what3words ///online.loyal.quest
<< Return to the 2026 Venue Directory
Return to the 2026 Artist Directory >>