MEMBERS of an art initiative based in Matchborough have donated their masterpieces to the area’s Peartree Centre.
Young people who are involved with Your Ideas Youth and Community Project, which works with young people across Redditch who are on the autistic spectrum, presented their artworks to staff at the Peartree on Friday (November 13).
Project worker Kayleigh Fitzgerald collaborated with Jessica Stephens – a member of Your Ideas and who came up with the idea of the art scheme – over the course of a year, working with young people to create a collection of canvases based on their special interests, such as video games and cartoons.
The scheme received a funding boost of £2,000 from Starbuck’s Youth Action scheme which supports young people in making a positive impact in their community.
Jessica added that the idea of gifting the canvases to the Peartree is a way of giving back to the community and brightening up buildings that children and young people access.
And it doesn’t end there – the artwork, which is displayed in the centre’s waiting room and hallways, has inspired an art project of Peartee’s own, entitled ‘Hope on the Walls’.
The centre now provides canvases to young people to work with, so in time they can see their own art displayed on the walls of their centre.
Jessica added: “The initial aim of the project was to instill confidence in autistic young people, help them connect with their peers and break free from the social isolation that a lot of them felt.
“It has been a huge success and we are immensely proud of all of the young people who took part and hope we can continue to create artwork in the future.”
