Covid: Street art spreading positivity within the community
26 February 2020
Steve Jenkins was furloughed and spent his time painting pieces in Llanelli
Steve Jenkins, 46, from Llanelli has been painting Llanelli town in rainbows and NHS appreciation pieces.
Factory manager Steve had the opportunity to further his hobby of graffiti and street art whilst on furlough and has gained great local recognition.
Steve said:“I try and paint things that are not political and generally try to spread cheer and positivity in the community.”
From a young age Steve has always had an interest in street art and graffiti but never imagined that he would be able to continue his hobby publicly in his hometown.
When the Coronavirus pandemic began Steve was contacted by key worker, Lisa Francis and asked if he would like to design and paint a piece to represent the NHS.
Steve's first NHS peice requested by key worker
Lisa, from Llanelli,said:“My sister works in a Covid centre and my brother-in -law is a nurse in ICU in Glangwili Hospital and I was a catering assistant in a care home. I have a rainbow in my window but that didn't feel enough to represent the NHS.
"My husband had just given the gate a fresh coat of black paint , so it was the perfect canvas.”
Steve received thousands of likes when he posted his work on his Facebook page and says it started something he could never have imagined.
He said:“All of a sudden more people were asking me to paint things around the town and even contributing towards the paint cost. I had to pinch myself some days that I was getting up and doing what I loved in some very public locations.”
Due to Steve's local recognition, he has begun to have requests from schools, councils and theatres.
He has also done an NHS appreciation piece at Tyisha Foodbank in Llanelli that has become a very recognizable piece to the community.
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Locals have praised Steve for his creative work
Suzy Curry, who works at Tyisha Food bank in Llanelli, said: “At the time we really wanted to say thank you to the NHS, it was almost at the beginning of the first pandemic and everybody was so scared and we were all relying so much on the NHS. We just wanted to say thank you.
"Whilst Steve was doing a piece for us at the food bank he also painted the Tyisha Foodbank logo as we wanted to let people know where we were, it’s really important that the community knows where to turn for help. We are incredibly grateful to Steve for the wonderful piece of artwork that really put us on the map.”
Steve added:“The art has definitely become an escape from the whole Covid situation and has given me focus and has had a really positive effect on most in the town.
I can’t believe the response the art has had in the local area and on Facebook far and wide. I’m over the moon.”
Steve has added colour and interest within the community
Whilst Steve’s furlough has finished he is waiting for the nicer weather to continue his work and start new pieces in the community.
He said:“It’s a great feeling to see my art around the town. I went to the shop this morning and passed five pieces on my way there and back.
"It’s nice to know that they are being loved by most.”