A Congleton woman born and raised in our town has completed her latest public art project.

Becca Smith (41) has pained a new piano in a Cheshire bus station for people to come and play.

The former Dane Valley High pupil, (now Eaton Bank Academy), grew up in the Buglawton Council Estate, and lived in Congleton for over three decades.

Her latest piece Tension has spruced up Macclesfield Bus Station with a vibrant painted piano. So next time you get the bus to Macc, why not give it a play?

The name of the painting references both piano strings, and the fact that this will break the silence for those waiting for a bus.

"This is about making use of space that wasn't used before," said Becca.

"Places where you wait for public transport they're kind of liminal spaces. You don't feel easy to settle in because they are not established places.

"I love the piano at London Euston Station, having it in that space completely changes the atmosphere.

"I took my experience with Macclesfield mural painting to make sure this would stand out from a distance.

"There are lots of three dimensions in there. It was a great challenge as it was not a flat object, so there are lots of different elements to consider."

The striking instrument artwork entitled is based off a science fiction series of novels, and features trees reminiscent of Macclesfield Forest.

To bring the project to fruition, Lucy Thomson-Smith of Crewe Lyceum Theatre got in touch with Becca, and provided the piano.

There is also a similar painted piano in Crewe.

The project was paid for through the European Regional Development Fund on behalf of Cheshire East Council.

"A lot of elderly people wait here and they may not have a phone. It is not the most comfortable place, but having this it is the perfect place to have some visual artwork and fill it with sound," added Becca.

"Anyone can come and play it but we are hoping musicians can come and book it and maybe bring a percussionist or a singer.

"The children have really loved it as well."

The piano is near to the Aldi entrance of Macclesfield Bus Station, where you can get buses to and from Congleton.

It comes complete with seat, a rack for sheet music, and piano cover.

"The artwork on this piece is based on a book called Annihilation Jeff VanderMeer.", Becca recalled.

"I exhibit with a few artists in London each year based on a set text.

"[Based on that] I started painting pictures of Macclesfield Forest in January when me and my toddler had COVID. And it was one of those classic moments in life where you were ill or something changes and you create something in response to that.

"When I was asked to play the piano I calculated I had just eight hours that I could fit around childcare to paint it, so I thought I would carry on what I was doing at that moment."

Becca's next art project will be in Congleton, on the Buglawton bridge project.

You can follow the local artist on Facebook.

Her Twitter is @BeccaSmithArt and her Instagram is @beccasmith_art..

You can also find more about her London exhibits here.

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