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An inspiring new art project is bringing the hidden beauty of Coalville’s wildflowers into focus this summer. Curbarium, a bold and vibrant celebration of urban plant life, has officially launched in the town - and everyone is invited to take part.
04 Aug 2025
Led by artist duo INSTAR Trish Evans and Nick Humphreys, Curbarium explores the wild nature that thrives in everyday urban spaces - between pavements, along road verges, and in overlooked corners of town. By blending creativity with ecology, the project shines a light on the often-unnoticed plant life growing in Coalville’s streets and public spaces.
At the heart of Curbarium is a community-led exhibition now open at Coalville CAN, running until 16 August. The show features striking print-based artworks made by local young people and families during a series of hands-on workshops with INSTAR.
Participants from The Castle Rock School, Clovelly House and North West Leicestershire Home Education took part in printmaking sessions, exploring the textures, forms and hidden stories of Coalville’s urban flora.
A beautifully designed limited-edition booklet of relief prints and reflections has also been produced to accompany the show - capturing the spirit of the project and its celebration of street-level biodiversity.
As part of the wider Curbarium experience, a specially commissioned billboard artwork will be unveiled at Belvoir Shopping Centre from 13 August to 10 September. Featuring large-scale paste-up prints, the display celebrates the unexpected intersections between nature and urban life.
“We draw huge inspiration from the natural world,” said Trish Evans, co-founder of INSTAR. “Curbarium has given us an incredible opportunity to creatively explore the resilience and beauty of wild plants that thrive right under our feet. It’s been brilliant to connect with so many people who share our curiosity and enthusiasm for nature on the edge.”
As part of the Curbarium project, a series of free, family-friendly events invite the local community to get involved, get creative, and see Coalville’s urban wildflowers in a whole new light.
Curbarium Exhibition at Coalville CAN
Dates: 31 July – 16 August
Location: Coalville CAN
Drop in to see vibrant prints and artworks created with young people and families during INSTAR’s printmaking workshops.
Community Celebration Day
Date: Wednesday 13 August
A day of creativity, exploration and connection with nature:
11am – 12pm
Zine-Making Workshop at Coalville CAN
Craft your own mini-publication inspired by the textures and stories of local street flora. All materials provided.
2pm – 3.30pm
Wildflower Chalk & Walk, starting at Belvoir Shopping Centre
Take a gentle walk through Coalville to learn about wild plants growing along the town’s streets. Use chalk to highlight their locations and celebrate their quiet resilience.
5pm – 7pm
Exhibition Viewing & Artists’ Talk at Coalville CAN
Enjoy a relaxed evening with refreshments, view the artwork, and join INSTAR for an informal talk about the inspiration and process behind Curbarium. The talk begins at 6pm.
Outdoor Billboard Artwork
Dates: 13 August – 10 September
Location: Belvoir Shopping Centre
Discover a large-scale public artwork by INSTAR celebrating the intersection of nature and town life.
Capacity is limited for some of the events. For more information and bookings - https://coalvillecan.coop/pages/whats-on
Curbarium has been commissioned by the National Forest and delivered in collaboration with local partners and communities, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
