Urban Art Project brings colour to the City

The City of Armadale’s Urban Arts Development Project started this month, with four young artists selected to play a leading role in the creation of urban art murals around the City.

The young, local artists will receive one-on-one mentoring with professional artist Darren Hutchens to further develop their skills, confidence and independence as professional artists. The artists were chosen based on their skills, interest and continued involvement in the City’s past creative arts projects.

They will also play a leading role in mentoring and guiding other young artists during several Armadale Legals Paint Jams in the next year where all will collaborate on and ultimately design large scale urban art murals at various locations around the City.

The mentoring component was funded by a $12,800 grant from the WA Department of Culture and the Arts, while the Catalyst Community Arts Fund provided $14,246 towards the Paint Jam sessions.

Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones OAM JP said the purpose of the City’s Urban Arts Project is to empower young people to become involved in arts activities through creative skills development.

“The project provides the opportunity for participants to work with professional artists to enhance and develop their artistic skills and attitudes towards artwork,” he said.

“Youth culture and young people are a vital part of our community and this type of project aims to encourage young people that have an interest in art, but may have limited opportunity, to explore their creative abilities.

“By encouraging our young people to explore their creative capabilities, it enables them to explore their identity and further develop their self-confidence through a meaningful project relevant to their interests.”

The first of several Armadale Legals Paint Jams will take place on Sunday, 3 April on the Armadale dog pound wall.