Each Wednesday and Thursday in August, artist Kezia Hoffman and her team have been engaging a group of around 30 young people at the Smannell Road skatepark with ‘drop in’ art sessions delivered by CAS (Chapel Arts Studios). The team worked with large boards, canvases and vibrant-coloured water-based spray paint, making stencils based on images of the skaters and offering bike parts and pre-made stencils to create compositions. The artists were amazed about the enthusiasm and excitement this project created and how ready the youngsters were to try out something new.
The work which was produced by an expressive, creative and diverse group of young people, coming together to create, learn and connect during the skatepark sessions, is now on display at the Unity Arts space in Andover Chantry Centre until 4 September.
To kick off the exhibition Chapel Arts Studios hosted a celebration event to mark the end of the project at the Unity Art Studios in the Chantry Centre and the start of a 10 day long art show. Some of the young people attended the event and were able to share their experiences.
David Drew, Test Valley Borough Councillor, commented: ‘I went along to the event to see the installations and meet the artists on Wednesday evening and was impressed by the fantastic art created by young people in Andover who apparently came out in the rain, wind (and some sun) to learn new skills, connect with each other and create artwork for the show.’
The show will be open 10am-4pm, Thurs-Sun From 26th August – 4th September at Unity Art Studios, Chantry Centre, Andover SP10 1RL (Opposite Sports Direct). For more information on future art events run by CAS, a contemporary visual arts charity, please follow @casartists on Facebook and Instagram.
