Lampton Academy is a training school which currently has around 1,350 students in Hounslow. In 2009 Ofsted highlighted Lampton as one of 12 outstanding schools serving disadvantaged communities in London.

11 at risk of becoming NEET 14 and 15 year old pupils were selected to take part in the Positive Arts 13 week Graffiti Art course.

The young people were given the opportunity to create professional pieces of Graffiti art and achieve the valuable Level 1 national qualification. The Positive Arts team helped students to explore and examine personal and social issues.  Students were encouraged to use their artistic skills to express their thoughts, feelings and experiences through Graffiti art.

As well as a main group work piece on boards, and the individual canvases to take home, as a record and reference to their attendance and attainment each participant created a documental portfolio of their artwork, including all their preparatory work e.g. digital photography, sketches, and ideas .

Through the group work process the Lampton students learnt lots of new artistic and interpersonal skills and were able to look at important issues in a relaxed environment. Each participant gained an increased awareness of their own situations, thinking and behaviour and improved self esteem.

7 out of the 11 course starters were awarded with the Level 1 Arts Award. Huge congratulations to all who achieved a pass!

http://www.lampton.hounslow.sch.uk/

Back in March Positive Arts began a 13 week Graffiti Art course at Brentford School for Girls in Brentford, Hounslow.

At risk of becoming NEET 14 and 15 year old girls were given the opportunity to create professional pieces of Graffiti /street art under the guidance of our talented artists. The group explored personal and social issues like education, social responsibility and community through individual and group discussions. The girls used their artistic skills to express their thoughts, feelings, experiences and knowledge of these issues through graffiti art.  A main group piece was produced along with individual canvases they could take home. By seeing their ideas develop into an amazing piece of graffiti artwork for display the girls gained a sense of achievement/pride and increased self- esteem. Through the group work process individuals learnt lots of new artistic and interpersonal skills and learnt about important issues in an informal environment. The Positive Arts team aim was to help participants gain an increased awareness of their own situations, thinking and behavior, which they could then use to assist change within their lives.

Fantastic job and well done to the 7 girls (out of 9 who started the course) who achieved the arts award Level 1 national qualification!

http://www.brentford.hounslow.sch.uk/

Last week Positive Arts took part in Islington Council’s ‘Heatwave 2013’ summer programme, called ‘Summerversity’ which offered young people a wide range of free creative activities indoors and out.

Our artists helped children create professional pieces of 3D Graffiti Art down at Toffee Park Youth Project. The idea was for Positive Arts and local children and young people to team up and totally transform the area in front of the centre by re-doing the mural and clearing the outside space.

The mural which was previously falling apart, had new life breathed into it by the team turning it ‘3D’ using recycled materials that were found in the street. The children were taught how to look at an object that might at first seem like rubbish, and then turn it into art. Recycled wood pallets, originally used for paint storage, and recycled wooden boards were used along with expanding foam which was put onto paper and spray painted. Slogans were also used in the mural ‘You only live once’ and ‘Haters get a life’ and these were then made into cool T-shirts! On the last day the children showed off the T-shirts in a fashion show.

A handful of really dedicated children threw their all into this project, so a massive well done and thank you to them from Positive Arts.

www.islington.gov.uk/heatwave

www.izzy-info.com

www.claptwn.blogspot.com

Our artists have just finished a beautiful mural at Sacred Heart Primary School in Luton. They worked with the year 6 students to design and paint the uplifting and positive artwork which is now pride of place in the School.

Over the Easter half term Positive Arts was at Barnfield Park  in Medway to help decorate an abandoned and battered shelter. Over the course of  4 days we worked in the wind and rain with a group of 15+ local young people to bring back some colour and life into the area.

The artwork represents some of the activities that happen in the park with positive awareness and uplifting messages.

“What Makes You Beautiful?”