Reading Community Learning Centre unveils vibrant new mural celebrating community, connection and creativity
Reading Community Learning Centre has unveiled a bold new welcome mural at its centre, created by local artist Dr Jenna Fox, with support from Brewers Foundation.
The mural was coordinated by Ali Stripling, Centre Manager at RCLC, after she spotted Jenna’s artwork across Reading, including murals at Oxford Road, Cows Lane and Reading railway station.
Jenna visited the centre and was inspired by the warmth, positivity and vibrancy of RCLC, which supports migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women through learning, support, confidence-building and community connection.
Speaking about the project, Jenna said:
“Ali approached me after seeing my murals across Reading, at Oxford Road, Cows Lane and at Reading railway station, and asked if I would be interested in creating a mural for the Centre. When I visited the site, the positivity and vibrancy were palpable.
I designed a mural to celebrate the people and community of RCLC, to be a vibrant visual experience designed to inspire and lift those who walk past it. It is bursting with colour, rhythm and energy, and the artwork reflects the spirit of the college: diverse, ambitious and constantly evolving.
Through bold shapes, layered textures and dynamic composition, the mural transforms the space into a living expression of connection and possibility. It invites viewers to pause, engage and see themselves as part of something bigger, fuelled by imagination, collaboration and forward momentum. It was a joy to paint. Thank you.”
The project was made possible thanks to a generous £250 donation of paint and supplies from Brewers Foundation. Without this support, the mural would not have been able to go ahead.
Aisha Malik, CEO of Reading Community Learning Centre, said:
“We are hugely grateful to Jenna Fox and her tech support, Simon for giving their time, creativity and energy to create such a beautiful welcome mural for RCLC. Jenna has captured the warmth, diversity and spirit of our centre so beautifully through colour, creativity and design.
The mural has transformed the space into something vibrant, welcoming and full of life. Every time our learners, staff, volunteers and visitors walk past it, it will bring a smile.
We are also delighted with the painted blackboard for notes, which is such a clever and practical addition to the centre. I am sure the children will love seeing it and writing on it as they walk past to visit the crèche.
A huge thank you also goes to Brewers Foundation for providing the paint and supplies, to Ali Stripling for coordinating the project, and to volunteer Stephen Stripling for his support. This has been a wonderful team effort, and we are so grateful to everyone involved.”
The mural now provides a bright, uplifting welcome for everyone who enters the centre, celebrating the people, stories and community at the heart of RCLC.
ENDS
Notes for editors
Media contact:
Aisha Malik, CEO, Reading Community Learning Centre
aishamalik@rclc.org.uk
www.rclc.org.uk
About Dr Jenna Fox
Dr Jenna Fox is a British multimedia artist whose work explores atypical spaces. Common themes underpinning her practice include identity, place, home, boundaries, and the movement between inside and outside spaces. She uses playfulness and humour to explore complex, often challenging topics in an accessible way.
Her PhD research examines how alter egos can be used as an expanded space to explore alternative creativity, discourse and identities. She has an MA from the Royal College of Art and an MBA from Brunel University.
Jenna has exhibited extensively across the UK and was selected for Wells Contemporary 2022 for an installation of huge flowers. Her work is currently on show at Reading station, where she created a 10m x 3.3m mural, and at the Reading Festival site, where she painted a large mural in June 2025.
In May 2023, she held solo shows at Guildford Cathedral and the Sunbury Gallery. She has also exhibited at The National Trust, The RSPB, Earley Station, Trowbridge Town Hall, Cromwell Place Gallery and The Crypt Gallery London.
Her work is on permanent display at South Western Railway, The Sculpture Park Farnham, The War Horse Memorial at Royal Ascot, Frimley Park Hospital and West Swindon Parish Council. She has also recently completed a large mural at Oxford Road, Reading, for NWR.
Instagram: @jennafoxartist
Website: https://jennafoxartist.weebly.com/
About Reading Community Learning Centre
Reading Community Learning Centre is a women-only learning centre based in Reading, supporting migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women to build confidence, improve their English, develop skills and feel more connected to the local community.
The Centre provides a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for women who may be facing barriers such as language, isolation, confidence, childcare responsibilities, poverty, trauma or lack of access to wider support networks.
RCLC offers English language learning, First Steps learning programmes, one-to-one support, outreach, volunteering opportunities and signposting to local services. The Centre also provides crèche support to help women with young children access learning and community support.
Through its work, RCLC helps women gain confidence, independence, friendship, practical skills and a stronger sense of belonging in Reading.
Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/charity/rclc