A joyous, multicoloured celebration of GVVT’s work in the community has a special place at Bridgeton Bus Garage.
The Wheels on the Bus mural transforms the wall of the Broad Street entrance and ticket desk and is the work of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.
What was once plain white is now a fun-filled rainbow splash of smiling characters on a backdrop of Strathclyde red complementing the Wee Happy Bus kids’ driving experience.
It’s the work of children, young people and parents displaced by war under the guidance of artist Daria Rudnieva and results from a tour of the garage by members of AUGB’s Glasgow Community, based at Bridgeton.
Daria, forced to flee her family home in Kyiv after Russia’s invasion, continued her studies in Scotland and leads an art class for Ukrainian families.
She said: “This has been a wonderful opportunity for the youngsters to express their creativity and participate in their adopted community. We recently completed a mural at Springburn and The Wheels on the Bus has been fun to produce.
“We were delighted when asked to add Ukrainian touches such as the flag displayed with the Saltire and the sunflower, the national flower of my nation.”
GVVT is forging bonds with the community via Outreach activities, and the mural project was hatched after AUGB’s tour of the garage in July.
Association co-ordinator Vlada Ruzenko said: “We have valued our experience with the Trust. Everyone we have met has been so welcoming, enthusiastic and generous with their time.
“Our visit to the garage was a wonderful opportunity for members of the Ukrainian community to learn more about Glasgow’s transport heritage and to feel connected to the wider local community.”
Almost complete, the mural will greet visitors to Bridgeton Bus Fest on October 3 and 4.
