Myra of Cheerful Chai shares her Broomfield Mural Story
From my personal perspective, the Cheerful Chai community mural has been a meaningful project to be part of. Seeing the journey from the Concrete Canvas workshops through to the final mural on the wall has felt incredibly special, because it reflects so much of what Cheerful Chai and Angel Pavilion are about creativity, connection, inclusion and community.
What I loved most was that the mural was not simply created for the community, but with the community. The workshops gave people a chance to contribute ideas, share what the space means to them and feel part of something visible and lasting. Watching those ideas then come together in the final design has been powerful.
Since completion, the community response has been so positive. People have shared how bright, joyful and uplifting the mural feels, and we have loved seeing people stop, notice it and talk about it. Sharing the final mural through the Cheerful Chai and Angel Pavilion Instagram accounts has also allowed us to celebrate the project more widely, and the feedback has been lovely.
I think the lasting impact will be that the mural becomes more than artwork on a wall. It is now a visual welcome into the space and a reminder that community is built through shared experiences, creativity and belonging. Over time, I hope it continues to bring people together, spark conversations and help people feel that Cheerful Chai and Angel Pavilion are places where they are seen, included and welcome. We have already integrated it into our children’s trail for DOSE Fest, so pleased for that. And will share amongst our walking and running groups who come by too.
I also want to say a huge thank you to Candy, Scotty and the Culture Chelmsford team. Candy and Scotty were amazing throughout, and the care, creativity and organisation from the whole team made the process feel genuinely collaborative. We are happy with the final mural and very grateful to have been part of the project.
Written by Myra, the manager and owner of Cheerful Chai who was instrumental in the success of the Broomfield mural, which was co-designed and co-created with commissioned artist, Brave Arts and local community members.
This mural is one of four, co-created with communities across the district of Chelmsford in 2026, as part of Concrete Canvas: Reimagined.
Concrete Canvas: Reimagined is part of the Young Cultural Changemakers Programme, produced by Culture Chelmsford and SPARK!, in collaboration with Chelmsford For You & Concrete Canvas, funded by Arts Council England, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford City Council, Chelmsford College, Chelmsford For You, Great Baddow Parish Council, Mister Gees Foundation and sponsored by Alfreshco, Community RePaint, Thirst Drinks Syndicate and Wickes.
