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 thrilled to have worked 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, Outside the Box has brought the city's impressive and internationally significant stained glass archives to life. This project was made possible by generous funding through a 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 aims to enliven the city centre, telling stories that reflect York’s unique history and identity through art.
As part of the project, York Explore put on a workshop with local artist Griselda, giving children the opportunity to design their own mini murals and learn about the archive collection and 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
'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
