Urban Canvas: How SWG3’s Yardworks is Transforming Glasgow’s Streetscape
From vibrant murals to community-led art trails, the ambitious project is redefining public spaces — and what it means to belong to the city
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning
Glasgow’s industrial heart has long been a canvas for reinvention — and nowhere embodies this spirit more vividly than SWG3 and its ambitious Yardworks project.
What began as a creative hub tucked beneath railway arches in Yorkhill has flourished into an international beacon for street art, community engagement, and urban renewal.
Yardworks Studio, Scotland’s first purpose-built home for street arts, provides a dedicated space for artists to create, experiment, and showcase their work.
Launched at Yardworks Festival 2023, it is linked to a wider project connecting Partick, Yorkhill, and Govan, with large-scale murals transforming gable ends into an open-air gallery trail that draws visitors to the area.
At a recent Anderston Community Council meeting, a representative from SWG3 outlined the remarkable journey of Yardworks over the past three years.
The project has cultivated an outdoor public art trail stretching through the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District, transforming forgotten spaces into vibrant, living galleries.
“We’ve been working with Glasgow University and community organisations to decide what the public artworks should be, where they will be and what they represent,” the presenter explained.
One key component, 'Outside The Box,' introduces smaller-scale interventions — painted electric boxes, reimagined street furniture, and subtle urban accents — designed by artists handpicked through an open call. “It’s about small-scale interventions, and we’re working with artists who applied for that job,” they said.
Now entering Grid Project Phase 2, SWG3 has its sights set on Phase 3, bolstered by fresh funding from Glasgow City Council’s Community In Place Fund and sustained support from Creative Scotland. “We’ve now secured the funding for Phase 3,” the representative confirmed.
This next chapter aims to expand the trail, fostering deeper connections between Anderston, Govan, and the West End.
International artistry lies at the heart of the project’s ethos.
Two resident artists — one from Athens, the other a Spanish-born Londoner — were hand-selected by the Govan community. “They’ve been working with the community, and their murals will be installed at the end of March,” the presenter shared.
The Clyde itself serves as inspiration for another upcoming project, bridging the river’s two banks through stories and artwork curated by local groups. “We’re doing another project exploring the stories of the Clyde, connecting both sides of the new bridge,” they added.
Anderston, too, is getting its moment in the spotlight.
A trail extending from Byres Road to Anderston is in the works, with installations beginning to appear.
These works will be mapped on Street Art Cities — the largest global platform of its kind — inviting art lovers to follow the route, uncovering each masterpiece as they go. “You’ll start to see them pop up throughout the community,” the representative said.
Yardworks isn’t just about the visual spectacle.
As the city marks its 850th anniversary, the project will host celebrations showcasing 15 years of hip hop exhibitions, a graffiti archive from a documentary photographer, and a retrospective on Glasgow’s pioneering gable-end murals from the 1970s. .
One featured artist, a stalwart of that era, still resides in the same flat after five decades. “He has 50 years of Glasgow’s development through art, and we’re putting together an exhibition and workshops with him,” the presenter noted.
Beyond the festival buzz, SWG3 remains committed to lasting change. Phase 3’s vision embraces three interconnected trails.
One, centred at 640 Argyle Street, will engage local schools and artists to co-create a mural, forging a path from the city centre to Govan.
Another aims to revitalise neglected spaces — including the underpass near the Govan Bridge — making these routes safer and more inviting with improved lighting and signage. “It’s about creating a community gateway and making those areas feel safer,” they explained.
Further afield, efforts extend to Govan’s shipyards, Partick’s often-overlooked interchange near Morrisons, and the industrial fringes of Thornwood and Whiteinch.
Each addition weaves a more connected, walkable city, inviting residents and visitors alike to rediscover Glasgow’s urban landscape.
Crucially, the project’s outreach program champions underrepresented artists, offering bespoke qualifications at SWG3 — a lifeline for those who may otherwise lack access to formal art education. “We’re working with community artists and helping people from underrepresented backgrounds who wouldn’t normally study art at college or university,” the presenter added.
For those seeking an immersive experience, the full trail — winding from Govan’s riverside through Partick, over the bridge to SWG3, then looping back via Crossloan Road and Linthouse — promises an hour-long journey through colour, culture, and community spirit. “It’s a real draw for visitors and the local community,” they concluded.
And on the streets outside Yardworks, young artists will be selling their prints — proof that Glasgow’s next generation of creatives is already leaving its mark.
Meanwhile, Yardworks Festival, the internationally renowned urban art event, returns to SWG3 Galvanizers Yard on May 3-4.
Now in its 7th year, the festival transforms the venue into a vibrant hub of large-scale murals, live painting, and stacked shipping container art.
This year's edition celebrates Glasgow 850, highlighting the city's deep-rooted graffiti, street art, and hip-hop culture through free workshops and talks.
Yardworks has cemented its place in the global street art calendar, bringing together top international artists, emerging talent, and local pioneers for a weekend of inspiration and collaboration.
The 2025 lineup features global heavyweights like Sofles (Australia), Bacon (Canada), Zurik (Colombia/Spain), Nuno Viegas (Portugal), Jeks (USA), Kitsune (Belgium), Peachzz (UK), and Scotland’s own Smug. Expect hyper-realistic murals, bold graffiti styles, and innovative urban aesthetics.
Returning after a 2024 hiatus, The Cube by Mia McGregor invites visitors into an evolving graffiti installation, while an ambitious world record attempt aims to surpass Mr. Doodle’s 203-meter doodle. Attendees can also leave their mark on an interactive graffiti wall.
2025 marks Yardworks’ entry into the Street Art Cities network, launching a dedicated site that maps public artworks and curates walking routes through Glasgow, cementing the city’s status as a global street art destination.
Gary Mackay aka Gaz Mac, SWG3 Studio Director and Yardworks Co-Founder, said: “Every year, Yardworks brings together an incredible mix of artists, from pioneers of the graffiti scene to fresh new talent pushing the artform forward.
“This year’s festival is shaping up to be one of our most exciting yet, with an expanded artist lineup and new workshops that celebrate not just graffiti and street art, but the wider creative culture that surrounds it.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to SWG3 and see these incredible artists bring the venue to life once again.”
SWG3 and Yardworks aren’t just revitalising public spaces — they’re redefining what it means to belong to a city.
From mural-covered tunnels to vibrant underpasses, Glasgow’s streets have never looked so alive.