Wychavon District Council x Emms

The process

When Wychavon District Council commissioned WeTheSeeds (Public Arts Placemaking UK) to create a heritage mural in Droitwich Spa, the project was about more than just painting artwork on a wall. It was about honouring the town’s identity and giving residents something they could truly call their own.

Droitwich Spa is a place with a rich story to tell — from its world-renowned salt production and brine baths to its distinctive radio towers. The mural for Emm's Haberdashery was developed using extensive reference material to ensure historical accuracy. For example, the Severn Trows featured in the design had to match historical records precisely, including the details of it’s sail, with the details reproduced as “like for like” as possible! Every design element of the mural was carefully considered and placed to create a piece that is deeply rooted in Droitwich’s life and heritage, reflecting the town’s unique identity.

Workshop data, reference material, visual inspiration & site mockup below:

Growing the seeds

The chosen canvas was the site of Emm's Haberdashery, where large wooden panels were fixed to an exterior wall to host the artwork. Unlike our other hand-painted murals, this one began with a sketch on 2m boards — using a technique that allowed us to map and scale the design directly onto the panels before painting. Working at large in this way ensured accuracy while still keeping the hand-painted character of the piece.

Each layer of paint was built with care, turning the panels into a vivid celebration of Droitwich’s heritage. Today, the mural transforms The Emms site into more than just a wall — it becomes a focal point of local history and identity, a shared story that belongs to Droitwich Spa and the people who call it home. A raised border finished off the public realm art piece in situ.

Images of the installation process & final mural can be found below: