Hidden gems get to shine

Oct 29 2008 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

AN ART exhibition by some of Stirling’s youngest artists is currently on show at the MacRobert Arts Centre at Stirling University.

Youth Art – “Stirling’s Hidden Treasures” – is a celebration and exhibition of artwork created by young people attending youth clubs from across the Stirling Council area.

The “Hidden Treasures” exhibition is a chance to see murals and pieces of artwork that young people have created and recognise these widely undiscovered gems that are within our communities.

Young people have created the artwork as a form of self-expression, which enhances, transforms and breathes new life into areas often prone to vandalism and in need of some splashes of colour.

During the process of creating these “Hidden Treasures” the young people have explored local heritage, citizenship, equality, self expression, involvement, individuality, personality, community, diversity and working without borders.

The exhibition is the first public display of this community-based artwork at one of Stirling’s most prestigious arts venues. It is also a first for young people to see their artwork displayed together and have their work recognised in its own right.

Much of the artwork was produced through Stirling Council’s Youth Services summer programme – “Class Enemy” and also “Youth Arts in Your Area” (YAYA) projects.

“Class Enemy” was a partnership between Stirling Council’s Youth Services, PLUS, Edinburgh International Festival and the MacRobert and involved young people taking part in a week-long series of drama and visual arts workshops which were based around the play “Class Enemy” written by Nigel Williams.

The young people were encouraged to explore and express themselves on the themes around the play, including the use of language, communication, disengagement and probably most significantly “Working Without Borders”.

As part of the project the young people produced pop art influenced artwork, which was displayed at the Hub during the Edinburgh International Festival.

The YAYA project is a creative arts project, which rotates across the various youth clubs across the Stirling Council area. The focus of the art activities is structured around specific topics relevant to young people and their communities. The box installations included in the exhibition are expressions and a demonstration of the positive collaboration of the four young people who created them and what they are interested in.