THE walls of a portable classroom commonly used for learning have been redesigned as a place of artistic expression for a group of talented youths.
The Woods Street Arts Space in Laverton is hosting the latest Street Smart Project called Portawall.
The project invited youth in Hobsons Bay to create art from large portable building pieces that transform to make electrifying pictures.
Street Smart Project manager Katherine Dine said the idea to use portables for art was drafted two years ago and then the long process of applying for grants and permit approval began. Around May last year fortnightly workshops were held for six months as part of the project for seven interested youths aged between 16 and 21.
The team was encouraged to express their urban artistic talents alongside Altona Meadows street artist Marine.
The result was a total transformation of the portables that were filled with colour and stylised urban street art. “The goal is really to teach these young people that there are other ways to go about creating work other than vandalising,” Ms Dine said.
“We want to offer opportunities for youth to create work in a safe environment where they’re not going to get into trouble for expressing themselves.”
She said each project was designed to encourage youth to stay off the streets and set an example of how their work could be appreciated by the community if they went about it in the right way.
Street Smart invites youths to become involved in one of the many projects organised by the team. The next project will involve painting public milk bar walls.
The Portawall exhibit can be viewed for the next two weeks through the front windows as you walk past the Wood Street Art Space.
For more information contact Katherine Dine on 0423 089 303.
