General News
16 December, 2024
Horsham Youth Club gives local skatepark a splash of colur with new mural
Youth Club members and visiting artists give the skatepark a fresh look.
Horsham Skate Park was a hive of activity on Saturday, December 14, as artists from the award-winning Blender Studios in Melbourne worked with Horsham Youth Club members to give the skatepark a fresh look.
The project is part of Horsham Rural City Council's pilot program addressing graffiti's social impact and cost.
Blender Studios Director and artist Glen Doyle delivered two Horsham workshops with Horsham and district youth over the July and September school holidays and joined them to paint the main skate bowl with street art this weekend.
The young people participating in the holiday workshops were offered the chance to paint alongside their mentors.
Organisers of the youth projects said the program had many layers to it.
"We are experimenting to see how this program instils respect for local art and its effect on reducing graffiti that damages other spaces," they said.
"The program is offered to all youth. Those who are facing challenging circumstances can join in without any stigma of any kind because those who participated are all equal.
"We believe the benefits of this and other similar programs have a lasting effect on our youth as we see growth in teamwork and respect for each other's achievements."
"We are excited to be once again working alongside renowned artists from Blender Studios to create vibrant artwork at the skate bowl," Director Communities and Place Kevin O'Brien said.
"We have a group of local young people who have been doing amazing capacity and skill-building activities with the artists throughout the year, and to reward their growth with this opportunity to leave a legacy in the city is special."
Mr O'Brien said the initiative was part of the Council's new strategy to combat graffiti vandalism.
"Street art will make the area more appealing to the skaters and help deter vandalism while helping the Council develop a stronger relationship with our younger community," Mr O'Brien said.
"Council believes engaging local young people in a graffiti street art mural project will reduce the social impact of graffiti vandalism, as well the high cost of its removal," he said.
Mr Doyle said he was pleased to return to Horsham for the project.
"The country kids are so polite and respectful; they're a pleasure to work with, and this project is exciting.
"The kids have been involved with the design and the colours and are now actively involved in painting the mural.
The youth group is painting in shifts so that the 30 participants in the program and workshops will all leave their mark on the mural and the community.
Mr Doyle expected the rural area to be completed by Sunday afternoon.
The Horsham Skate Park will be closed between December 13 and December 20 to give the artists space to operate.