Youth-Led Art Projects Transform Sandown Station As Exhibition Opens At Quay Arts

A series of youth-led placemaking projects has transformed the subway adjacent to Sandown Station, with the work now being showcased in a new exhibition at Quay Arts throughout May.

The exhibition, titled Back on Track, celebrates creative interventions by three groups of young people from the Youth Justice Service, Lionheart School and Bay Youth Project.

The projects were delivered by Artswork as part of its Young Cultural Changemaker programme.

The work was developed in response to concerns raised by children and young people that the station environment can feel unwelcoming and unsafe, with the aim of improving how the space is experienced by the community.

One of the most visible changes is a newly completed mural in the subway at Los Altos, created by young people from the Youth Justice Service working with Community Murals Isle of Wight.

The design reflects themes of nature, movement along the railway and positivity, under the idea of “light at the end of the tunnel”.

One participant said:

“I think a mural in the subway will really help. People won’t want to graffiti if there’s lots of pattern.”

Students from Lionheart School have also worked with artist Jo Kori on a 3D installation for Sandown Station platform, which is due to be installed later this month.

Their design explores both the history of rail travel on the Isle of Wight and its future potential.

Meanwhile, young people from the Bay Youth Project have documented perceptions of the station through photography and podcasting, working with Trudie Wilson and Jake Richardson.

Around 40 photographs and podcast excerpts are included in the exhibition.

Peta Rainford, placemaking creative producer at Artswork, said she was proud of the projects and the young people involved, adding that all three groups shared a focus on improving safety, tackling antisocial behaviour concerns and strengthening community ownership of the station space.

The wider programme also marks 200 years of rail travel and is supported by South Western Railway CCIF, Arts Council England and the Isle of Wight Community Rail Partnership CiC, alongside partners including Island Line, Island Roads, Southern Vectis, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, Sandown Library and the Briars Guest House.

Back on Track runs at Quay Arts until Saturday 6 June.