Chantry Street Mural

The Chantry Street mural is a community arts project commissioned by Test Valley Borough Council. The project was led by Winchester-based artist Kezia Hoffman, in collaboration with young people from three Andover youth groups: Andover Young Carers, Breakout Youth and Yellow Brick Road.

The mural reflects ideas that emerged directly from a series of workshops with local young people about community, kindness, identity and the importance of feeling accepted. Their ideas and drawings helped shape the final design, with many visual elements appearing directly. On 26 September 2026, young people from the three youth groups came together to contribute to the painting of the mural. The project aimed to go beyond simply asking young people for their opinions, giving them a genuine role in developing and creating the artwork.

Designed around the existing Hendog artwork, the mural tells a story of moving from exclusion to inclusion. It centres the teddy bear, who moves from isolation to belonging. The treehouse and picnic scenes represent community and safety, welcoming all different types of people and celebrating difference together.

The other key character is the fox on the inset wall. Foxes live alongside us in urban environments, and we have a complex relationship with them. They are both a beautiful part of our natural world, but also sometimes viewed as nuisances, dangerous or dirty. In the mural, the fox represents the way people can sometimes be judged or labelled when they are trying to find their place in society. The birds and branch reinforce the idea that people, animals and our environment are all interconnected through our connection to nature.

Through the creativity and imagination of the young people involved, the Chantry Street mural brings a distinctive new story to the town, exploring universal themes of connection, belonging and community, and bringing a new vibrancy to this area of Andover.

About the artist

Kezia Hoffman is a Winchester-based artist, sculptor, educator and creative practitioner. She is the founder of the Granary Creative Arts Centre in rural Hampshire. A graduate of Winchester School of Art, she has over 25 years’ experience delivering creative projects, including street art, murals, sculpture, festivals and community arts, and has facilitated more than 3000 arts and community engagement workshops. Her practice combines traditional making skills with contemporary techniques and is inspired by the natural world, playfulness, storytelling and our connections with one another. Alongside her own practice, Kezia works extensively with schools, youth groups and community organizations, using creativity to build confidence, develop skills and encourage connection. Kezia Hoffman is a Winchester-based artist, sculptor, educator and creative practitioner. She is the founder of the Granary Creative Arts Centre in rural Hampshire. A graduate of Winchester School of Art, she has over 20 years’ experience delivering creative projects, including street art, murals, sculpture, festivals and community arts, and has facilitated more than 600 arts and community engagement workshops. Her practice combines traditional making skills with contemporary techniques and is inspired by the natural world, playfulness, storytelling and our connections with one another. Alongside her own practice, Kezia works extensively with schools, youth groups and community organisations, using creativity to build confidence, develop skills and encourage connection.

Click to view more of Kezia’s artwork, on her instagram page.