In April 2025, this vibrant street mural was unveiled in Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield, as part of an exciting initiative to showcase the area’s unique identity, rich history, and thriving community. The stunning 10m x 2m digital artwork, titled “We are BOLDMERE,” has been designed by local artist Donna Newman of Eden-Designs Murals, commissioned by Boldmere Futures CIC and funded through HM Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, administered by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Birmingham City Council.
Donna Newman’s design beautifully encapsulates the essence of Boldmere by breaking down each letter of the phrase into illustrations that highlight different facets of the local community and its culture.
Click on each letter below to find out more:
This mural is a visual representation of everything that makes Boldmere such a wonderful place to live, work, and visit. It was an honour to create something that reflects the history, diversity, and spirit of the community. I hope it will inspire both locals and visitors to take pride in Boldmere’s uniqueness.
Donna Newman is a highly skilled and passionate mural artist with 20 years of experience creating colourful and engaging public art across the Midlands. Her vibrant murals have left a lasting impression at local schools, including Boldmere Junior and Infant School, New Oscott Primary School, and Wylde Green School, among many others. Donna’s work is not only limited to murals—she has also contributed to numerous public art trails, including The Big Sleuth 2017 and last year’s March of the Elephants. Through these art trails, she has helped raise over £400,000 for various charities, demonstrating her commitment to both creativity and community.
Donna is perhaps best known for her playful designs that captivate and inspire. Many will recognise her work which already delivers colour to Boldmere High Street through ‘The Boldmere Bear’ sculpture outside the Harvester and ‘Where’s Ellie’ located outside the Tesco Local. Her bold, distinctive style continues to make her a beloved figure in the public art scene, and she strives to inspire audiences of all ages with her fun, instantly recognisable designs.
The unveiling of the mural has been met with enthusiasm from the local community, and it is already being hailed as an important new landmark in Boldmere. The artwork adds to the growing public art scene in Birmingham and is a testament to the area’s commitment to creativity, diversity, and community spirit.
Our vision is for Boldmere to become known as a cultural destination for arts and heritage, the Mosely of North Birmingham. We are currently in the process of applying to Birmingham City Council for funds to become a Cultural Action Area and this magnificent artwork is a catalyst to what could follow. We also have our statues Where’s Ellie outside Tesco Express, Boldmere Bear outside The Harvester and Perry on the newly nicknamed ‘Perry Island;. During July to September, Boldmere will host several Bulls as part of the Bulls in the City arts trail and we are delighted that Birmingham Hospice will be allowing us to keep our bull afterwards too.