City council gives permission for large-scale public canvas
Artists from across Staffordshire and beyond will take over the hoardings of the former Birch Terrace bus station in Hanley for the second running of Art Jam on Saturday 8 August. The event is organised by Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with street arts collective Hustlers of Culture, and has been granted special permission for the use of the site by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
The inaugural Art Jam in 2024 attracted more than 40 artists who were each allocated a pitch to produce original works on the same site. Organisers say this year will again showcase live, large-scale creation with spectators invited to watch pieces evolve through the day.
"Following the fantastic response to Art Jam last year, we're thrilled to be bringing it back for 2026."
That comment came from Richard Buxton, chief executive of the City Centre BID, who framed the event as both a celebration of local creativity and a draw to the city centre. Rob Fenton of Hustlers of Culture—who helped arrange participating artists and co-produced the 2025 100 Years, 100 Faces mural installed in Hanley—described the event as an effort to make art accessible and encourage public engagement with colour and creativity.
What residents can expect on the day
The free event runs from 10:00 until 16:00 and combines live painting with additional attractions aimed at a broad audience. Plans announced by organisers include:
- Live painting across the former bus station hoardings, with a roster of local and visiting artists
- Live DJs providing a soundtrack to the public art displays
- Skateboarding demonstrations from Unit1 Park Works
- Family-friendly activities and street food vendors
Site re-use and civic impact
The choice of the former Birch Terrace bus station site highlights a continuing trend in Hanley and elsewhere to repurpose transitional urban spaces for temporary cultural use. The council’s decision to allow the hoardings to be used as a canvas for Art Jam is consistent with recent projects that have sought to enliven the city centre through public art. Supporters argue such events can increase footfall, promote local businesses and foster pride in place; however, their longer-term impact on permanent regeneration plans and traffic or pedestrian flows around the site remains a matter for the local authority and BID to monitor.
Organisers have said all participating artists for 2026 were selected in advance by Rob Fenton and his team. The event is presented as free to attend, with activities designed to be accessible to families and passers-by.
Event details
| What | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Art Jam – live street art and activity | Saturday 8 August, 10:00–16:00 | Former bus station hoardings, Birch Terrace, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent |
For residents, Art Jam offers an opportunity to see how public space can be temporarily reimagined, and to observe the work of practising artists as they create new, visible additions to Hanley’s streetscape.
