A laneway leading into Christchurch’s Performing Arts Precinct has been transformed with a new lighting installation and mural designed to welcome visitors and enhance the experience of moving though the city, especially after dark.

Delivered through the Council’s Enliven Places Programme, the project features eight creatively programmed lights displaying eight distinct lighting sequences, supported by ground-level wayfinding lights along Press Lane.

Adding to the transformation is a mural by Christchurch artist Ellie Compton, inspired by the history of Press Lane and live performance. The artwork aims to provide a sense of jubilation and anticipation for visitors to the Performing Arts Precinct.

Ellie says the mural draws on the area’s character and architectural history in her distinct black-and-white style. She has also branched out to incorporate some colour, as this marks her first outdoor artwork.

“It’s been awesome coming up with the design to get the history of the area across, what I really wanted was for people to see themselves in the mural.”

There’s plenty to explore in the artwork, buildings from the past like the old Press Building and different aspects of city life like live music events, a comedy club and people enjoying eating out with friends.

“I used a virtual reality headset to map out the mural on the wall and then got painting; it’s been a big job but also really rewarding seeing it come to life.

“Seeing my artwork on this scale is special and everyone who has walked past while I’ve worked on it has been really complimentary.”

The lighting design was developed by local lighting designer Kevin Cawley of Total Lighting Ltd, who also created the exterior lighting programmes for the Isaac Theatre Royal.

The new lighting visually links Press Lane with the theatre, strengthening the connection between Cathedral Square and the wider Performing Arts Precinct.

Head of Planning and Consents, Mark Stevenson says the project demonstrates how creative placemaking can enhance the city centre.

“Projects like this add vibrancy to a key part of the central city and help people feel safe while moving about the city, especially after dark.”

The Enliven Places Programme supports placemaking initiatives and temporary projects that create welcoming environments and help resolve local challenges.

In this case, it has helped transform a well-used but previously dark laneway into a safer and more engaging gateway to one of Christchurch’s cultural destinations. The mural was coordinated with support from Watch This Space.