Flourishing Barnstaple, as part of the government’s Cultural Development Fund, is proud to announce a new public art initiative celebrating the town’s unique cultural identity - Barnstaple Blue.

This autumn, local artists Penny Rowland Hill and Howard Porter, members of North Devon Arts, will work with community groups to create four large painted panels inspired by the town’s historic colour.

Community members are warmly invited to get involved in creating the artwork. Drop-in sessions will be held at the Pannier Market on Tuesday 21 October and Saturday 25 October, from 11am to 4pm. No booking is required individuals and groups are welcome to turn up, take part, and help bring Barnstaple Blue to life.

The project pays tribute to the distinctive Barnstaple Blue; a colour deeply rooted in the town’s heritage. From the newly restored Pannier Market to the iconic Brannam’s pottery, and the traditional glazed street name signs still found in Barnstaple’s back streets, this hue reflects a strong local tradition that continues to shape the town’s character.

The Barnstaple Blue project forms part of the internationally renowned Big Draw Festival, which celebrates drawing as a universal language of learning, expression and invention.

Funded by Flourishing Barnstaple, a North Devon Council initiative supported by the government’s Cultural Development Fund and administered by Arts Council England, this project builds on a wider programme of public art commissions designed to bring creativity into the heart of Barnstaple.

Cultural Producer, Lee Baxendale, said: “Barnstaple Blue is a wonderful way of connecting our community with the town’s cultural heritage. By working together with local artists and residents, we are not only creating beautiful public art but also strengthening the pride and identity that makes Barnstaple so unique.”

The panels are expected to be completed by late autumn, and the finished artwork will be on public display in Barnstaple Pannier Market in early 2026.