UNITY – MURAL / HAPPY STREETS FESTIVAL, OASIS GREEN SPACE, WANDSWORTH

Last Summer, I co-created a mural with the local youth during the Happy Streets Festival in Wandsworth, situated in the Oasis Green Space, off Thessaly Road. The young artist I took under my wing was Bryony, to lead on concept & design, with artwork contributions from the wider community during the festival workshop, to which I supported where necessary throughout process leading to application onto wall. This was Bryony’s first time producing public artwork in her local estate, so felt it was a rewarding experience for her, and me as mentor, to witness someone coming out of their comfort zone and trying something new. Through knowing her and her mum who attend the local community centre where I work each Monday, it was clear to see the growth and leadership skills she’s acquired & developed being in the space from when I first started almost 2 years ago. So giving time, holding space & nurturing creative potential in the young folk and families who attend there has been a constant each Monday, and testament to the consistency of having great staff / facilitators who each provide their own skills & talents freely – essential ingredients for community enrichment which happens over time, slowly but surely, but it happens, and you realise the power of simply showing up & being there, planting seeds & seeing the youth bloom in their own way…

Ps. Even if a sense of Unity isn’t felt on a deeper level with people you work or connect with, and feels like some surface gunk most of the time, unity simple starts with ‘U’, middle ‘I’ and ends with ‘Y’…why not indeed.

I know budgets are stretched at the moment for youth services across the board, so happy to give some time to any youth clubs / centres that may need some support running some art-based activities / who might need materials / or advice of any creative sort / or really need ping pong practice (you aint ready *Happy Defeats Festival, ha) – feel free to message me direct 🙂

P