Artist completes colourful cat mural at community shop in Rotherham

Julie Stribley has finally put the finishing touches to her creation at Canklow Premier Shop – a year after a previous artwork was removed from the area by accident. 

The 50-year-old artist’s community mural “Tabby Cat” had been on a bus stop on Canklow Road for about four years before it was removed last summer to make way for a new bus stop.

She said: “Children from the community ask me all the time where the cat has gone.

"It still makes me feel sad even though it's been about a year since it was broken into bits and taken away.”

She acknowledged: "This was a consequence of it being a guerrilla artwork with no consent from Travel South Yorkshire.”

With permission from the transport company, Julie removed a second mural called “Spike” from across the street as the bus stop there was also due to be replaced. 

After Julie’s upset over the missing cat companion piece was reported in the Advertiser, Travel South Yorkshire offered to display “Spike” at Rotherham Interchange, which Julie described as a "nice offer", but instead opted to keep the artwork in the community by displaying it at the HQ of Casting Innovations on Canklow Road. 

Now 12 months on she has finished her latest mural – titled “Cat Fish” –  after seeking consent for the works on the exterior of Canklow Premier Shop.

"They funded the cost of the supplies and kept me hydrated with Slushies when it was really hot last summer,” said Julie.

"Unfortunately, autumn came with a very cold and wet winter following so the completion was put on hold.

“Happily, it's finished now and I've had ever so many kind words from residents and patrons of the shop.

“I've also learned how central and vital convenience shops are to the community and how many people actually rely on them.”

Towards the end of this month, Julie will be painting a new mural in the tea garden at Over the Rainbow on High Street, Rotherham, which she says will have a nod to the café-bar’s Wizard of Oz theme.