The 15 budding public artists worked alongside professional artists and staff from Hamilton Universal Connections to design and create the murals, reflecting the identity, history and aspirations of the Woodhead and Fairhill communities.
A group of creative youngsters are celebrating after turning underpasses in their area into works of art.
The 15 budding public artists worked alongside professional artists and staff from Hamilton Universal Connections to design and create the murals, reflecting the identity, history and aspirations of the Woodhead and Fairhill communities.
The work is just Phase 1 of UC Re:Create’s community-led public art project supported by the council’s Youth, Family and Community Learning Service (YFCL) with financial support coming from South Lanarkshire Council and the council administered Renewable Energy Fund (REF).
The project demonstrates the incredible impact that can be achieved when young people are empowered to lead positive change within their own communities.
Kevin Carr, the council’s executive director of enterprise resources, said: “UC Re:Create is an excellent example of what community learning and development can achieve when young people are trusted to lead meaningful change within their communities.
“The creativity, commitment and dedication shown by the young people involved has been truly inspiring, and the transformation of these public spaces reflects the pride they have in their local area.”
To ensure the artwork truly represents the people who use these spaces every day, there was extensive engagement with more than 120 pupils from St Peter’s, Neilsland, Woodhead and St Mark’s primary schools contributing ideas through creative workshops.
Involving 10 local community groups and carrying out more than 200 face-to-face interviews with local people also ensured a diverse range of voices helped shape the artwork.
Lianne Grieve, YFCL service manager, said: “What makes this project particularly special is that it has been shaped by the community at every stage to create something lasting and meaningful.
“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the project, particularly our young people, whose vision and hard work have left a legacy that will be enjoyed by the Woodhead and Fairhill communities for many years to come.”
Throughout the eight days of painting, local community members stopped to speak with the young people, learn about the project, and watch the artwork develop.
The murals have also received overwhelming praise from the local community both in person and across social media.
Following the success of the murals, final artistic enhancements will now be added to the remaining external wing walls, completing the overall transformation and creating an even greater visual impact.
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login