Youngsters unite to create vibrant community art

More than a dozen 12 to 18-year-olds took part in a special art project on Thursday, helping to create an imaginative and colourful mural for the Chilgrove House community centre, in Clun Road.

Led by experienced artist Duncan Thrussell, of Arts in Action, and rising star, Jake Goble, 17, the youngsters spent more than six hours perfecting their design.

Duncan, who oversaw the proceedings, said: “This project is about getting children and young people to help their community, and to make it a better place to live.

“We use graffiti techniques in a positive and expressive way to help enrich the community.

“All of the youngsters have done a remarkable job. They have worked so hard to create a bright, vibrant piece of art that will help to encourage others to enjoy Chilgrove House.”

Jake, a BTEC art and design student at Northbrook College, added: “All of the guys really gelled together.

“I was asked by Duncan to help out, after running my own project at the Arun Ideas Shop, in Beach Road.

“I’m really proud of all the hard work that everyone put it.”

The mural, created as part of the B-Heard project, will be hung inside the community centre later this week.

It has been designed to help raise the profile of the centre and the area’s recently-formed New Highfields Residents’ Group.

Eileen Rogers, B-Heard community worker, said this was the first step in helping to brighten the centre.

She said: “This project is for all the community. We want them to be able to take ownership of their area.

“We have a new residents’ group and they have got a lot of things they want to do.

“Later this year we’re hoping to get out and paint the garden area of the centre, to really brighten it up.”