Silver Street has been transformed with the unveiling of a vibrant new mural – bringing an extra splash of colour to this side of town.
Rough Gemstones – the bold new mural, is the work of award-winning international artist and Luton resident Silvia Lerín. The community played a key role in bringing this artwork to life – by choosing their favourite design from several colour schemes.
Silvia officially unveiled the 47 m x 12 m artwork on Wednesday 23 October and was delighted to share it with the public after months of hard work.
She explained the concept behind the mural is to “reflect the hidden beauty we often overlook in our daily lives” and much like Luton, “that it is full of potential and sometimes we need to take a closer look to truly appreciate it.”
“I wanted to capture how this town, which may seem raw and unpolished to many outsiders, can shine if given the opportunity to show all the good things that we have.”
Now this is something we can get behind! We love to see locals challenge the stereotypes often put on Luton.
“Thanks to the support of Luton Borough Council, the Culture Trust Luton, and Luton Point, we are thrilled to finally reveal this incredible addition to our town. Silvia Lerín’s mural is not just an artwork; it’s a celebration of our community’s creativity, resilience, and unity.”
Don’t forget to take a peek of the new mural next time you’re in town – find it on the corner of Bute Street/Silver Street behind the Luton Point Shopping Centre.
We love seeing these positive changes coming together – from the stunning new mural to the thriving pocket park at Hat Gardens, new events, and exciting developments in the pipeline. Things are definitely looking up for Luton town centre, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!
If you want to learn more about the ‘Rough Gems’ project, check out Silvia’s website. More information will soon be available on Luton BID’s website.
About the Author
Niall Barnby
Niall is a proud resident of Luton, striving to reshape the perceptions of his hometown. As a Place Activation and Marketing Officer with a degree in Business, he loves to shout about the best bits happening here to locals and visitors. From Sunday league football in Leagrave Park to discovering new music in the town centre, Niall loves Luton’s vibrant culture and is thrilled to be playing a part in its exciting future.
