Nottingham artist Natalie Coe has been selected to create a major new public artwork for the Broad Marsh redevelopment. The 150-square-metre artwork will be installed on Severn’s House, a prominent new city centre building, and will be visible from Middle Pavement.
Known for her vibrant abstract work, Natalie was selected by a panel including Nottingham community representatives. Her design will draw on ideas shared by local people during a public consultation, which highlighted a desire for a greener, more welcoming and people-focused city centre, acknowledging the history of the area.
Natalie said:
Being chosen to create this mural is hugely exciting, an honour I don’t take lightly. I’ve spent time with the community feedback gathered about Broadmarsh, and that history and emotion is the starting point for everything. I can’t wait to create a large-scale artwork that visibly transforms this space for everyone, creating a new chapter that says: we see you, this place is loved, this place is alive and changing. Honestly, it makes my heart sing.
The project is being produced by charity City Arts (Nottingham) and Art Fest. It is being funded by Homes England.
Suzannah Bedford, Director of City Arts (Nottingham), said:
We’re delighted to be working with Natalie and Art Fest on this exciting new commission. Public art helps us feel connected to the places around us. We were pleased to bring together a range of voices to select the artist, and we hope the artwork will become a point of pride for the people of Nottingham.
Severn’s House is part of the ongoing redevelopment of the Broad Marsh area of Nottingham by Homes England. Designed by Leonard Design Architects, it will host the University of Nottingham’s Connect Nottingham and City as Lab facilities. It will support the Nottingham Urban Room, a collaboration with Nottingham City Council to provide space for community-engaged conversations about the future of the city.
Jo Nugent, Executive Regional Director for the Midlands at Homes England, said:
The Broad Marsh site is a once in a generation chance to reshape a major part of Nottingham city centre. Homes England is proud to be working with its collaboration partners Nottingham City Council and the East Midlands Combined County Authority to deliver a place that reflects Nottingham’s culture, style and community, while delivering the maximum social and economic benefit to the city and Trent Arc region. The next step of this is breathing new life into Severns House and the former Drury walk. We are pleased to have commissioned Natalie, an exciting Nottingham artist, to design a new mural to reanimate the street scene around Severn’s House and that side of Middle Pavement.
Paul Grainge, Professor of Film and Television Studies at the University of Nottingham and Academic Director of City as Lab, said:
What is striking about Natalie’s art is the feeling of joy it creates. This will be a bold artwork for a new space designed to help communities share, discuss and reflect on bold ideas for Nottingham’s future.
Members of the public can learn more about the history of Broad Marsh and Natalie’s approach to designing the artwork by joining a free creative workshop on the 4th July 2026. The workshop will be held at Nottingham Central Library. Get tickets for the workshop.