News

Art Valley exhibition

27th October 2011

Young people transform empty shop unit with showcase of photographs and animations inspired by Norris Green area.

ART Valley, a partnership project between the Everyman & Playhouse Theatres and the Bluecoat, together with Liverpool Youth Services have taken residency in an empty shop unit, known as ‘The Pad’, on Scargreen Avenue in Norris Green since May this year. Groups of young people aged 12 to 18-year-olds from the area have now transformed the unit with dynamic photographs and stop-frame animations films.

The project’s aim has been to use the shop unit to engage with young people living in the local area through creative methods. This has resulted in groups developing their photography skills and combining that with their love of BMX biking and the amazing stop-frame animations using Lego similar to those made by legendary director Michel Gondry. The exhibition will be open between 4pm – 6pm from Wednesday 26 until Friday 28 October at 191 Scargreen Avenue, with a private view for the local community to celebrate the young people’s work on Tuesday 25 October.

In developing their skills over the last four months the groups of young men and women have worked with artist Tristan Brady-Jacobs and Youth Mentor John Murray, along with other role models and youth workers, who have supported the young people to try something new and push their boundaries.

Participants in the scheme have said that it has been both informative and encouraged them to further develop their interests through creative methods.

One young participant said: “I think that it was good editing my photo because it made it look more exciting. My hobbies are BMX-ing so it gave me more of an advantage to get my stunts better so it will be better angles to produce my image.”

While another added: “Learning about Photoshop was a new experience. It was difficult at first but I really got into it. I added layers to the original image and thought about what colours to use. I am proud that my image was used for the exhibition invite.”

The project at ‘The Pad’ is supported by the Norris Green Councillors, Cobalt Housing, Alt Valley Neighbourhood Management Services and the Home Office through the Communities Against Guns, Gangs and Knife Crime fund, who see it as a valuable way to support the positive regeneration of Scargreen.

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