In 2021 Absolutely Studio delivered a painted basketball court mural and surrounding improvements at Orchard Park in Portsmouth. Working with social enterprise Form+Function, the project transformed a neglected and anti-social space into a vibrant new public sports facility. The upgraded site now includes Portsmouth’s only dedicated 3×3 basketball court.
Delivered by Absolutely Studio, a London-based basketball court mural company.
Artwork by Hattie Stewart.
The project developed through a strong community-led approach. After reviewing participation statistics for girls and young women in basketball, we recommended commissioning a female-led artwork. Internationally recognised artist Hattie Stewart created the final design, drawing inspiration from painted court concepts produced by local school students. This process gave the community a direct creative voice in shaping the space.
More than £30,000 was raised in just eight weeks to fund the wider regeneration of the site. The improvements included full court resurfacing, new line markings, upgraded fencing, replacement backboards and equipment repairs. Planters, flower beds and a new pedestrian entrance were also introduced to improve access and create a safer, more welcoming environment.
Absolutely Studio curated and installed the artwork across the new painted basketball court and surrounding wall spaces. The court mural was produced using specialist outdoor sports-court paints selected for durability and colour intensity. We worked alongside groundworks and landscaping teams to ensure the visual identity of the murals connected with the wider improvements across the site. We assisted throughout the design phases, preparing digital assets to use for items like the custom Artist Basketballs, which were used to aid in the crowd funding element of the project.
The finished court launched with a community event attended by more than 500 local residents and covered by Sky Sports. Today the Orchard Park painted basketball court mural functions both as a striking piece of public artwork and a fully operational sports facility, demonstrating how art, sport and community collaboration can revitalise public space.
