A series of public art is being created as part of a new mural trail celebrating the areas past, present and future.
The Light We Carry trail across Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent will include a range of professional artist and community-led murals, each featuring symbols of guidance, warmth, hope and how local heritage is carried forward and shared.
The first artwork planned for Pontypool Indoor Market has been completed by artist Danielle Farringdon and the second one - designed by ArtREGEN Pontypool and members of the public, is due to be painted during September.
A large outdoor mural is planned for Clarence Street, also led by ArtREGEN Pontypool, and will complement the dragon mural in Riverside Car Park, which they commissioned earlier this year.
Two community-led murals are planned for Blaenavon - one on the side of a new florist business and another for the Castle Hotel.
The Light We Carry Trail is part of the Towns Together programme, with council teams, local businesses, community groups and members of the public working together to improve the visual appearance of town centres.
Cllr Jo Gauden, Torfaen's Executive Member for Regeneration, said: "Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent share a powerful industrial and social history. The mural trail is a fantastic example of the local engagement typical of the Torfaen Deal, with our teams working to identify suitable locations and funding, and local businesses and community groups helping design and, in some cases, paint the artwork.
"Previous examples in Blaenau Gwent have shown that free to experience public art not only improves the look and feel of town centres, but they also attract visitors, generate conversations and reduce anti-social behaviour on our high streets.
"By now connecting the artwork across the two boroughs, we hope people will enjoy following the trail, learning more about local areas and feel a sense of pride in our boroughs."
Mary James, ArtREGEN Pontypool project leader, added: “Our vision is to create a vibrant community mural that is warm, welcoming, and celebrates the unique spirit of Pontypool Market. It will capture the strong sense of belonging that makes the market the heart of the town, a place where people come together as one community and one family.”
You can find out more about the trail - and add your favourite examples of public art in the borough - by visiting the Get Involved Torfaen mural trail page (LINK). The Pontypool Indoor Market murals have been funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund.
A series of town centre deep cleans, and community action days will also be taking place in the Autumn as part of the Towns Together programme.
The first event postponed due to smoke from wildfires, will now take place in Pontypool on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26 with action days planned in Blaenavon in October. To get involved and tell us which streets in Blaenavon you think should be targeted, visit Love Blaenavon - Towns Together | Get Involved Torfaen (opens in new tab).
As part of the Towns Together programme, bus shelters across the borough area are also being deep cleaned, with some due to feature images of local landmarks.