Your York BID 
Outside The Box
York BID and partners are proud to present 'Outside the Box', a creative project aimed at transforming often-overlooked exchange boxes into vibrant works of art.
York BID are excited to be working with local graffiti artist HazardOne to repaint 12 BT exchange boxes on The Stonebow, York.
Through partnering with Explore York Libraries & Archives, York Civic Trust and York Glaziers Trust on this project, we're bringing the city’s impressive and internationally significant stained glass archives to life. This project was made possible by generous funding through the National Archives Engagement Grant.
The murals showcase 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 is proudly held at Explore York Archives and includes over 3,000 glass plate negatives and lantern slides, many of which are available to view on the Explore York Images website.
The BT exchange boxes have become the target of graffiti and fly postering in recent years. This creative intervention will discourage vandalism and transform the look and feel of the street.
This project will enliven the city centre, telling stories that reflect York’s unique history and identity through art.
Stay tuned for information on an upcoming Outside the Box workshop at Explore, where children will get the chance to join local artist Griselda in designing their own mini mural designs. There's also the opportunity to learn more about the archive collection and the history of stained glass in the city.
'Outside the Box' is part of the York Mural Trail, a dynamic project that aims to animate York’s shopping streets, adding a pop of colour and breathing new life into city centre spaces.
'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 - Internationally renowned graffiti artist, illustrator & designer
'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