During February and March 2018, the young people of Blackhall Community Youth Group and Hesleden Guides worked together to create an exciting collaborative artwork. Each week they experimented with different art forms, from paint to print, felting to video projection, all inspired by the colourful theme of ‘kaleidoscope’.

The groups were guided by artists Creative Youth Opportunities and BloomInArt​, who shared their artistic skills with the young people and helped them to realise their ideas. The groups were inspired by their local area, exploring shapes found throughout their village such as the pit wheel, mining memorial and natural parks.

 

I’ve got new art skills… at the start I didn’t think I was very good at artist, but at the end it shows I can use by skills to produce something that is very good

Harvey (Vice Chair of Blackhall Community Youth Group)

Kaleidoscope has enabled Blackhall Youth Group to have an 67% increase in young people attending sessions. The project also provided young people the opportunity to develop new creative skills and experiences, they now have a broader knowledge of what art can encompass. 

Gaynor Crute (Group Leader of Blackhall Community Youth Group)

All this creativity resulted in a large stained glass window artwork installed in Blackhall Community Centre entrance. This new artwork was officially unveiled at the Kaleidoscope Party on Tuesday 3 April, 4 – 6pm. Over 160 young people and their families joined us in ‘a world of colour’ and enjoyed neon themed craft activities, giant floor drawings, face painting and, of course, lots of dancing.

The Kaleidoscope Party was co-produced by the young groups with the help of creative event specialists Chalk​. The young people selected everything from the playlist, to the decorations, and played a large part in hosting the event on the day.

 Kaleidoscope Party at Blackhall Community Centre, Tuesday 3 April 2018The Kaleidoscope Party at Blackhall Community Centre, Tuesday 3 April 2018 (Photo credit Sound Ideas Media)

The young artists’ posted about their Kaleidoscope journey on Instagram – click here to see more.
Kaleidoscope is funded by East Durham Creates and East Durham Area Action Partnership (AAP)​. The project has been co-produced by the young people of Blackhall Community Youth Group and Hesleden Guides Group, with support from BloomInArt, Creative Youth Opportunities, Chalk, Monk Hesleden Parish Council​ and Blackhall Community Centre​.

 

 

 

Phase 2 Partner logo strip

Kaleidoscope logo strip 2