Creative Together

We had 14 signed up to our workshops, but with constraints of covid, homework, or simply a busy agenda, our sessions generally totalled 6-7 students aged 12-14. But these proved to be a dedicated core group that grew in confidence through the week to deliver something truly special.

We wanted to offer full creative licence to our young artists, yet a blank page can be truly daunting even for the most adventurous.

So in our sessions, we explored what they cared about and found that community, togetherness, being allowed to express themselves through writing, drawing, creating films and more was really important.

There was also such a strong call for fairness and respect, and understanding that we are all different and that can be a strength, not a weakness. We knew right there and then that this was the heart of the message for this group

What was striking from the start here was twofolds. First, some of the students brought from the first session some of their work, most notably Woody, 13, who shared with us his truly impressive sketchbook of comics.

When we asked if he’d shown it at school before, he said no. He was a little overwhelmed with the cameras, and for a moment, we felt we might not see him the following week, but we’re so glad that he did. He revealed a stunning drawing talent – and particularly loves drawing hands. This had to become part of the billboard, and you will see his ‘handiwork’ drawing the comic frame throughout.

We then asked them to think of a personal message and start developing it on paper.

Every single one, unprompted, started creating their own typographic style and once again it was obvious that their personalities were ready to shine through.

Alex, 13, who only joined us from session 4 really surprised us when she said she wasn’t really doing art usually – when she displayed such bold confidence in her colour and design choices.

Zola, 14, who studies art for GCSE, brought home how art is not just about perfection or drawing, and demonstrated that by deliberately using a piece that had started with an ink spill, and turned it into a style of its own.

Xavier, 12, also came in late to the sessions, following a particularly gruelling geography lessons and wanting to do something fun, and the rest of the sessions really benefitted from his thoughtful and supportive approach.

The challenge was – how we we bring all of these different styles together for one billboard? Louis, 12, had created a really interesting geometric frame during one of the workshops, and as he was unable to attend the later sessions, it made sense to use his early contribution so he could be represented in the final artwork. We agreed to give it a comic style to echo what so many of the group were into.