New mural explores our relationship with the River Frome

A new mural, painted in situ by Frome-based artist Temujen Gunawardena, showing the local water cycle and its relationship with the River Frome, was recently added to the former Shoe Zone unit in the Market Place. 

The mural is the latest element of Frome Families for the Future’s River Vision Project, a collaboration with Frome Future Shed via Green and Healthy Frome, and supported by Frome Town Council.  

The project’s aim is to foster a closer connection between the people of Frome and the river, with benefits for mental health and wellbeing, creating opportunities for play and increasing awareness of the river’s vital role in our ecosystem. 

Lizzie Venning from Frome Families for the Future said, “When we embarked on the river vision project, our know-ledge was patchy – an incoherent jigsaw of the problems our environment and in particular our rivers face based on media stories or campaigns. It was hard to see the big picture and relate that back to ourselves, our homes and our town.  

“However, the more we read, the more we realised that all the factors are connected and in fact, we each have the power to directly make positive change for our water. We wanted to make an image that showed how we are all in this together and if we are to find a solution, it will be through collaboration, with all the parties in the picture being accountable. We hope that with this understanding, people in our community are empowered to make small changes and take action, as we have been. There are 28,000 people in our town. If we each took action, there is hope that one day our river runs clear and free – a sanctuary for wildlife and people alike.” 

Artist Temujen Gunawardena said, “As an artist working on commissions from all over the place, it was extremely fulfilling to do something so local and directly impactful. Much of my work is linked to concerns around our environment, but a recent film I made called ‘The River’ led me to research the health of our waterways and the importance of understanding our water cycles in combating climate change.  

“The decision to paint the image rather than print it on vinyl was partly to make a more environmentally aware choice, but the time spent painting it became a really engaging and impactful experience in itself. There is such a diversity of people living in this town with so many different experiences and ideas about the town, its past, present and future. Whether people had a positive reaction or not, strong reaction or a passing glance, it felt like we were offering the town a talking point, and hopefully for some, something more.” 

Find out more about Frome Families for the Future and the River Vision Project at https://www.fromefamiliesforthefuture.co.uk/rivervision.