A striking new artwork inspired by Enfield’s diverse community has been unveiled at Dugdale Arts Centre (DAC) in Enfield Town. Created by London-based artist Alec Saunders, the mural was painted using reclaimed paint donated by local residents through North London Waste Authority’s (NLWA) recycling centres.
Alec was selected from nearly 50 applicants for his commitment to sustainable art and community engagement. His final design features three vibrant portraits interwoven with symbols of Enfield’s music heritage, industrial past, and green spaces, reflecting the borough’s rich cultural tapestry.
The mural enhances the tiered seating area at DAC, a space used for children’s activities, arts and crafts workshops, film screenings, and live performances.
To ensure genuine community involvement, Alec ran workshops with students from St Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls and young people from Ponders End Youth Centre, incorporating their ideas into the design.
The launch event featured a Q&A session with Alec and fellow artists Leanne Ingram and Chikaora Obiora, who, alongside Laura McKendry, created three additional murals around DAC. Attendees also enjoyed a collage workshop, an exhibition of the artists’ work, and stalls selling sustainable local products.
The project, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and supported by NLWA, highlights the importance of reusing materials. Every year, over 50 million litres of unused paint are wasted in the UK—enough to fill 20 Olympic swimming pools.
Cllr Sabri Ozaydin, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Placemaking, praised the initiative:
“Alec’s creativity has transformed our amphitheatre space, making it brighter and more welcoming. This project beautifully represents Enfield’s diversity while promoting an important message about reusing and recycling, which we fully support.”
Clyde Loakes, Chair of NLWA, added:
“Seeing discarded paint turned into such stunning artwork proves that a little creativity can give second-hand materials a brand-new life.”
Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit Dugdale Arts Centre to see the mural and learn more about sustainable art.
