Curious Cabinets
Turning Chippenham’s roadside cabinets into tiny galleries.
This year, Public Art Chippenham invites everyone to take part in Curious Cabinets, a community art competition to design artwork for selected roadside communications cabinets in the Artisan Quarter.
Inspired by similar projects in nearby towns, decorating these otherwise dull green and black cabinets can help brighten streets, reduce vandalism, and even lift local pride.
We have two types of roadside cabinets in Chippenham: Openreach (BT) boxes and Telent (traffic signal) boxes. The winning designs will be used to paint or wrap these boxes in 2026, transforming everyday street furniture into miniature pieces of public art.
(image) Matt Sewell - Shrewsbury Cabinet Project
HOW TO ENTER
WHO CAN ENTER:
Anyone living in Chippenham or surrounding area (all ages welcome).
DEADLINE:
31 December 2025
SUBMISSION:
Drop off your artwork at 31Co.Work, Cousin Norman’s or Chippenham Museum during their opening hours.
Label the back with your name, address, and contact number.(parent/guardian contact and age if under 18)
MEDIUM:
Anything goes — painting, drawing, printmaking, textiles, photography, mixed media — whatever you love creating.
NEED INSPIRATION?
Styles You Might Explore
Figurative: Recognisable subjects and realism
Stylised: Expressive mark-making, bold outlines, or exaggerated proportions
Abstract: No fixed subject, exploring shape, colour, and emotion
Try These Prompts
Your artwork can be about anything you like, as long as it’s family-friendly, non-political, and not misleading.
If you’d like a theme to get you started, try one of these prompts:
Hands | Organic | Evolution | Connect | Transmit
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
In January 2026, all submitted artworks will be displayed at Yelde Hall, where a panel of local artists and dignitaries will select the winning designs for the Artisan Quarter cabinets. Some will be painted live, in situ, while others will be digitally printed and wrapped onto the boxes. All entries will also appear in our online gallery at Public Art Chippenham.
QUESTIONS?
Email info@publicartchippenham.com
or message us on Instagram @publicartchippenham
