Published on:
09
September 2011
Clackmannanshire Council is helping young people tackle vandalism with an innovative graffiti art project.
A youth consultation suggested that young people would like to see graffiti art built into the Council's 2011 summer activities programme. In response, the Council launched a graffiti art project at the Big Buzz family fun day, followed by a number of small workshops delivered over the summer months. The grand finale is the transformation of Greygoran underpass in Sauchie, which is on route 76 of the national cycle network.
The art work was completed by a youth group drawn form different communities, and has been well received by neighbouring residents and members of the public. The merges old with new - a concept the young people came up with - depicting Gartmorn Dam, the Ochil hills, an old pit shaft, Alloa Tower, the glass works and an old style coal train carriage.
Councillor George Matchett, portfolio holder for inclusion, said: "This project shows that young people's creativity is a real asset to our communities. When graffiti is carried out randomly in residential areas, it can be a source of annoyance and make people feel unsafe. By choosing appropriate locations and subjects, this project has expanded young people's skills, given them a focus for their talents and produced an impressive and colourful mural."
The young people involved have now gone on to form a working group and have already started planning the next project. The group would ideally like to transform another underpass along the Clackmannanshire national cycle route and are looking for artists to get involved. If you're interested in taking part, call the Council's Youth Services team on 01259 450000 or email customerservice@clacks.gov.uk