Your York BID 
Outside The Box
Transforming everyday street furniture into vibrant works of art
Outside the Box is part of York BID’s ongoing work to create a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant city centre. The rejuvenated cabinet boxes on the Stonebow, Piccadilly, and Parliament Street were previously targets for graffiti and fly postering but have now been transformed into vibrant works of art.
The project launched in 2024 on the Stonebow, where internationally recognised street artist HazardOne used spray paint to celebrate York's stained-glass heritage. Building on that success, Outside the Box has now expanded to Piccadilly, Parliament Street, and the surrounding areas, where digital artists Leah Pendleton and Rob Stothert have used vinyl wraps to animate the area.
Outside the Box is part of the BID’s York Art Trail, an ongoing programme to tell stories that reflect York’s unique history and identity through public art.
The Stonebow
York BID worked with local graffiti artist HazardOne, alongside Explore York Libraries & Archives, York Civic Trust, and York Glaziers Trust, to repaint 12 BT exchange boxes on the Stonebow. The project was made possible through a National Archives Engagement Grant.
HazardOne's series of mini murals brought the city’s internationally significant stained-glass archives to life, inspired by the work of J.W. Knowles & Sons, a family firm of church decorators, glass painters, and stained-glass restorers based in Stonegate in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The Knowles collection, proudly held at Explore York Libraries & Archives, includes over 3,000 glass plate negatives and lantern slides, many of which are available to view on the Explore York Images website.
Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square
The series of mini murals on Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square take inspiration from York’s world-famous Gothic and Medieval stonemasonry, reimagined through a contemporary lens by York-born artist Leah Pendleton.
Leah used the decorative, architectural details found around York to develop graphic patterns that highlight the extraordinary skills of the craftspeople that have shaped the city we see today, giving them a modern, colourful twist.
The installations also celebrate York's status as one of only 26 UNESCO Cities of Media Arts.
Piccadilly, Coppergate, and Fishergate
The series of mini murals on Piccadilly, Coppergate, and Fishergate celebrate the array of flora and fauna that call York home, from the tiny tansy beetle to families of mischievous foxes.
Created by local artist, Rob Stothert, the colourful artwork pays homage to York’s rich history and culture through references to iconic landmarks, architecture, and patterns. Informed by the non-organic nature of the cabinet boxes, Rob used simple geometric forms and patterns to weave together something of the city’s essence with its animal inhabitants.
'This project is a fabulous way to get the archives out of the strongroom and into the community. Harriet’s stunning murals demonstrate how archives can be used to inspire public art, and in doing so enrich our city.'
Dr Julie-Ann Vickers - Head of Archives at Explore York Libraries & Archives
'The results of the Outside the Box project are fantastic. It is wonderful to see York’s heritage rejuvenating the city’s public realm in such a contemporary way. The project really shows the benefits of partnership working in the city.'
Andrew Morrison - Chief Executive Officer at York Civic Trust
'Having grown up and spent my entire youth in York this project feels like a really special one to me! I remember going on school trips to the Minster and learning about stained glass, so to come back home and do a street art project based entirely around York’s amazing catalogue of stained glass has been a treat. Everyone has been so kind and complimentary about them and I think a splash of colour is what we could do with this summer!'
HazardOne - Artist (The Stonebow)
'This has been a really exciting project to see come to life. The BID recently worked with partners to rejuvenate over 450 pieces of city centre infrastructure, and Outside the Box goes even further! Rather than just returning these exchange boxes to their original state, it’s made them new and exciting – something that makes you stop and admire them, while championing the unique history of this area.'
Carl Alsop - Operations Manager at York BID
'We have all said that the boxes are now brighter, much more interesting and really fit in with the surroundings, a mix of modern meets history. They have added a charm and eloquence to the street, and on deeper looks they tell a story that we are all part of, especially of this side of the city. [We] really love them, would be wonderful to have them throughout the City!!'
Gemma Wilson - Facilities Manager at Hiscox UK
'We’re thrilled to work with two talented local digital artists to continue our Outside the Box project. This next phase celebrates York’s status as a UNESCO City of Media Arts while transforming everyday street furniture into eye-catching public art. It’s a creative way to deter vandalism, keep our streets looking cleaner, and add a pop of colour to York’s busy shopping streets.'
Carl Alsop - Operations Manager at York BID
'Using the decorative, architectural details that are found all around the city, I developed graphic patterns that highlight the extraordinary skill of the craftspeople that have shaped the city we see today, and give them a modern, colourful twist.'
Leah Pendleton - Artist (Parliament Street & St Sampson's Square)
'The project celebrates the wildlife that calls York home, while paying homage to the city's rich history and culture through references to architecture and patterns. Informed by - rather than ignoring - the non-organic nature of the boxes themselves, my aim was to use simple geometric forms and patterns to weave together something of the city's essence with its animal inhabitants.'
Rob Stothert - Artist (Piccadilly, Coppergate, and Fishergate)
