From shop front to art installation; how Norris Green youth have turned to art for inspiration

Some of the young people involved with the Art facilitators

Groups of young people from Norris Green have been working hard since May this year to transform an empty shop front on Scargreen Avenue into a space where they can showcase their creativity.

‘The Pad’, as it has come to be known, is part of the Art Valley project and has been offering young people in the area a chance to develop their artistic talents by combing their love of BMX biking with newfound photography skills acquired through the initiative.

Now anybody that’s ever tried to take a group of 12 to 18-year-olds around an art gallery will probably know the challenges of getting young people to take in a bit of culture can be demanding at the best of times. However it seems that Art Valley has crucially managed to get the formula just right by engaging with these youngsters through their love of BMX.

By tutoring these young people in photography techniques and guiding them through the hows and what fors of photoshop software, artist Tristan Brady-Jacobs, Youth Mentor John Murray and a team of supporters have managed to get the kids to produce some works of their own which will be displayed in The Pad at 191 Scargreen Avenue between 4pm - 6pm from Wednesday 26 October until Friday 28 October.

One of the youngsters involved said: “Learning about Photoshop was a new experience. It was difficult at first but I really got into it. I added layers to the original image and thought about what colours to use. I am proud that my image was used...”

As well as showcasing the groups photographic works the exhibition will include stop-frame animations using Lego pieces in the style of the legendary director Michael Gondry.

The forces behind The Pad include the Everyman & Playhouse Theaters, as well as the Bluecoat and the Liverpool Youth Services. The project at ‘The Pad’ is also supported by the Norris Green Councillors, Cobalt Housing and Alt Valley Neighbourhood Management Services, who see it as “a valuable way to support the positive regeneration of Scargreen.”

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