Moving Murals: celebrating youth, community and creativity at Oxford Parkway Station

Something special has arrived at Oxford Parkway station and it’s not just the next train!

‘Moving Murals’, a new youth-led art exhibition, has transformed the station into a vibrant celebration of community, creativity and place. Unveiled this March, the display features five striking artworks created by 64 young people from Oxford and Banbury. Each piece explores themes of identity, connection, and the stories that shape where we live.

Led by the Oxfordshire Community Rail Partnership (OxCRP) and supported by Chiltern Railways Community Investment Fund and Community Rail Network, the project saw young people take part in a series of creative workshops in their local areas. Working with community artists Lorna Kerr and Bliss Hill - and alongside our community partners, Word Fountain Family Arena and Banbury Madni Masjid - participants experimented with lino printing, collage, and sign writing to reflect on their local lives.

The result? A bold and beautiful exhibition that brings community voices to Oxford Parkway Station.

Five Art Pieces. Four themes. One powerful display.

The artworks are more than just murals, they’re representations of the opinions and inspirations of the young people who created them.

• Signs of the Times explores the power of uplifting messages and the role of positive language in shaping identity.

• Portraits of Pride celebrates individuals who inspire and uplift - from family members to community leaders.

• Illustrated Journeys shares personal stories of travel, capturing the emotional resonance of movement and place.

• Local Landmarks brings treasured community buildings to life, honouring the spaces that ground and connect us.

  
  

Each mural draws a line between the individual and the collective, making the familiar walls of Oxford Parkway Station feel that little bit more human.

A meeting point of stories and journeys

Stations are places of transition - but they’re also spaces that hold memories, messages, and meaning. The Moving Murals artwork turns Oxford Parkway into more than just a stop along the way - it becomes a celebration of the people and places that make our communities thrive.

Hannah McDonnell, Executive Director of OxCRP, summed it up perfectly:

“The Moving Murals project demonstrates what can be achieved when young people express their sense of place under the guidance of creative experts… The creativity and passion behind each piece is a testament to the talent of the young people involved.”

Zach Bailey of Chiltern Railways echoed this sentiment, highlighting the project’s impact in improving the look and feel of the station while delivering real social value.

Whether you're commuting, visiting, or just passing through, take a moment to look up from your phone and see these murals in motion.

Because sometimes, the most meaningful journeys happen before the train even arrives.