About us.
Public Art Works is a collaborative practice founded by artist Aprille McShane, and architect Tony Broomhead, bringing together over 25 years of experience in the conception, design, and delivery of high-quality public art projects. The practice operates across the UK and internationally, creating both temporary and permanent artworks for the public realm.
Public Art Works has an established track record of working with communities, developers, local authorities, and councils, delivering projects that are context-specific, inclusive, and responsive to place. Our work enhances public spaces through meaningful artistic interventions that foster identity, engagement, and long-term social value.
Who we are.
Aprille McShane
Founder and Artist“I am a public artist with a strong interest in how art can serve and connect communities.”
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Aprille McShane is a UK-based artist living in Sheffield. Her practice explores themes of time, place, and connection to the natural world. Grounded in daily walks through her local environment, McShane observes and photographs fleeting moments that later inform her paintings, drawings, and prints. These works translate sensory experience into expressive gesture, layering observation, memory, and material to reflect the shifting rhythms of the natural world.
Alongside her studio practice, McShane works as a public artist with a strong interest in how art can serve and connect communities. Through collaborative and participatory projects, she creates opportunities for shared reflection and creative expression, encouraging others to engage with their surroundings in meaningful ways. Her work has been exhibited in galleries, realised in public art installations, and is held in private collections.
Tony Broomhead
Founder and Architect"My aim is to make work that helps people feel more connected to the places they know and love."
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Tony Broomhead is an architect and artist known for his collaborative approach and designs that respond to their surroundings. His work encourages engagement and reflects a strong respect for context and audience.
His career includes commissions from institutions such as the Southbank Centre, Royal Academy, and RIBA, alongside numerous public projects across the UK and internationally.
Tony is on-screen designer for CBBC's BAFTA-winning show The Dengineers, collaborating directly with young people to design a wide range of imaginative spaces over six series.
Our values.
“We are committed to producing impactful public art that enriches the built environment, supports communities, and adds lasting cultural value to public spaces.”
Collaboration, accessibility, and sustainability are at the heart of what we do. By combining artistic vision with architectural rigour, Public Art Works ensures projects are not only creatively ambitious but also technically robust, sustainable, and achievable within real-world constraints.
Our collaborative approach prioritises dialogue, participation, and craftsmanship, creating public artworks that engage diverse audiences and has cultural impact.
“We believe collaboration creates meaningful public art and instils a sense of ownership.”
Our clients.
The Roald Dahl Museum
Southbank Centre
Northumberland Council
The RIBA
Leeds Council
The Wildfowl & Wetland Trust
Lambeth Borough Council
The Royal Academy
BBC
Opera North
Lancaster Council
Wakefield Museums and Castles
Awards & achievements.
Artrepreneur Triangle Art Award 2023, Honerable Mention
Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Commission 2022, Winner
BAFTA, Best Childrens Factual Entertainment 2019, Winner
AR Awards, Worlds Best Pop-Up 2016, Top 5
RIBA Grand Designs Live competition 2015, Winner
RAW almond international competition, Canada 2015, Winner
Royal Academy invited competition 2015, Runner-up
WAN Awards, Worlds Best Temporary Space 2015, Shortlist
AJ Small Projects 2010, Shortlisted
Leeds Architecture Awards 2009, Shortlisted
Urban RE:Vision Green Awards USA 2008, Winner
Tent London Pavilion Competition 2008, Runner-up
RIBA Art Space of the Future 2008, Shortlisted
BD Young Architect Award 2008, 2009, 2010, Longlisted
RIBA Green Dragon’s Den 2007 Runner-up
AJ Small Projects 2007, Shortlisted
Selected Publications.
Books.
The Dengineers, Build Your Dream Den. Studio Press
New Architect 3. Architecture Foundation + Merrell
Demystifying Architectural Research. RIBA Books
Spacecraft II. Gestalten
Periodicals and web.
Domus. Breaking Boundaries: Collaborative Practice Feature
BD Magazine. Culture Feature
Dezeen. RAW Almond Restaurant
Elle Decoration. Project feature
Architectural Review. RAW Almond Restaurant
Architects Journal. New Practice feature
Selected Exhibitions.
HPO Gallery. Iterations; 20 year retrospective
Battersea Power Station. Interactive installation
Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Sonic Shed installation
Royal Festival Hall. Dream It, Build It installation
Opera North. Interactive lighting installation
Tyneside Cinema. Interactive projection
National Theatre. Future Arts Space Exhibition
Contact us.
If you’d like to get in touch with Public Art Works, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you have a project idea, collaboration opportunity, or just want to find out more about our work, please reach out and start the conversation.