Project 39 - completion of the Youth-Led Creative Transformation of Hotham Park Subway
A press release from Artswork.
An incredible transformation of an unloved subway in Bognor, led by young people, local school children and multiple artists and partners, has now been fully installed.
Now featuring over 70 metres of original art, the project set out to turn the subway under Hotham Way into a space that celebrates local young people's creativity and what they love about their town.
This project is part of Artswork's Young Cultural Changemakers programme, which trains and empowers young people to lead creative initiatives that improve their communities.
Over the past few months, a group of 30 local young people aged 10 to 18 collaborated to develop the theme, curate the vibrant display, and shape the vision for the space. More than 300 children and young people contributed designs inspired by the theme “I Love Bognor” from schools including Felpham Community College, Edward Bryant, Rose Green, South Bersted and Southway Primaries, which have been transformed by commissioned artist Emma Ghafur (Tiger Monkey) into vibrant vinyl panels showcasing the work of more than 80 local children. Colourful ceiling panels were designed and produced by young people in the local Youth Justice restorative justice workshop.
Alongside this, young people selected and commissioned street artist AlecLDN to design new murals based on their ideas. The project was initially installed in November, with a large community celebration, but wet winter weather delayed the completion of the murals. Joining forces with new partner, Blakes Cottage Trust, additional murals have been designed by young people at 39 Club, inspired by Blake's art and poetry, and the subway is now completely filled youth led art alongside its entire length (over 70 metres in total).
Project 39 is a partnership effort, bringing together 39 Youth Club, Bognor Regis Town Council, West Sussex Youth Justice Service, Safer Arun Partnership, the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner and Blakes Cottage Trust. It represents a shared commitment to creativity, community, and youth voice which is the driving mission of charity Artswork's projects across the South of England.
For more information, or to read the press release in full, contact Beccy East, Creative Placemaking Producer, Arun at RebeccaEast@artswork.org.uk