The writing’s on the wall for these young artists…
A group of local young people have been getting creative, and adding a splash of colour to a Middlesbrough park.
The Graffiti Art Project saw young people from the South Tees Youth Justice Service working alongside the Targeted Youth Support section of the Junction Youth Service to unleash their inner artists in Pallister Park.
Over three sessions – with support from the Pallister Park team - the young people covered the rear wall of the Reintegrate Building with their own vibrant artwork.
Louise Dobson, Restorative Justice Worker with South Tees YJS said: “The young people have had a fantastic time, and there’s some real talent there.
“It’s all about giving them a sense of ownership of their own environment while creating something aesthetically pleasing for the benefit of the whole local community.
“The work is entirely their creation, encompassing their ideas and suggestions and including local landmarks, sport, and Middlesbrough Pride.
“It was also lovely to welcome the Mayor and his team to see the work in progress, and some of the councillors even joined in with the painting.”
The group came up with their own tags and designs under the guidance of graffiti artist Stephen Irving.
Stephen runs the Pineapple Black Gallery in Middlesbrough’s Hillstreet Centre, and also painted the graffiti wall in Generation Red Family Zone at the Riverside Stadium.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke, who visited the Graffiti Art Project with local ward Councillors Ian Blades, Julia Cooke and Donna Jones, said: “This project has been a fantastic outlet for young people to express their creativity and showcase their local pride.
“This talented group have really done themselves proud, and have transformed a drab and featureless wall into a real work of art that will bring pleasure to countless visitors to Pallister Park.”