A group of young people, supported by Network Ryde, has appointed an artist to highlight environmental issues in the town.
Gaz from IdolMind will make public art for Ryde town centre that will raise awareness of the Island’s Biosphere status.
The youngsters, aged between 11 and 17, want to make Ryde a better place for young people and others to live, addressing issues of littering and empty shop windows, among other things.
They chose to work with Gaz following a Dragons’ Den session where three professional artists pitched their ideas.
The Ryde project, delivered through The Island Collection and managed by Independent Arts, is the fourth youth-led public art project to be launched on the Isle of Wight as part of the Supporting Young Minds programme.
"I am hyped to be involved in this exciting project, having the opportunity to work with the young people of Ryde, using art to educate, inform and transform,” says Gaz.
“Supporting Young Minds is such a great project to be a part of, it gives a brilliant platform and voice to young creative minds and I cannot wait to help them progress and create.
"The combination of Independent Arts, Network Ryde, young people and Idolmind is the ultimate team up!"
The Ryde project is funded by the #iWill Fund which is a UK wide programme aiming to make social action a regular part of life for less affluent young people aged 10-20.
This is administered by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF), and extends Artswork’s Supporting Young Minds investment programme.
The project has produced a thought-provoking film by the Sandown & Lake Youth Forum, working with Bruce Webb and supported by Community Action Isle of Wight.
There is also an on-going monochrome art trail around Newport, created by the Newport Youth Panel working with artist Laura Hathaway.
Meanwhile, in Ventnor, artist Jess Ong and young people from Brave Island are transforming an empty shop into a creative space for visual arts and music throughout March.
It's not too late for young people to sign up for the Ryde and Ventnor projects, and anyone interested should contact [email protected] for Ryde or sign up through www.braveisland.uk for Ventnor.
An exhibition of the work produced by the Supporting Young Minds programme so far is currently on at Independent Arts and runs until April 17.
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