Young people have put their artistic talents to good use to create an exciting modern artwork in St Chad's Park. Two disused buildings have been decorated with graffiti art murals which depict life through the eyes of the artistic teenagers. The colourful and unique artwork is the result of a joint project which saw the Victoria and Albert Museum team up with the Council's Youth Service to involve local youngsters in art. Its theme is the local environment, with the youngsters using art to express their views and feelings about issues that affect their lives and the area they live in. Youngsters on the art project also attended workshops and a residential weekend, where youth workers and the group discussed social issues affecting today's youth, such as drug abuse, alcohol consumption, sexual health, legal and illegal graffiti and its impact on local people as well as safety issues.
Young people are our future adult visitors and are extremely important to our development.
We are trying to involve them by tracking their interests, rather than imposing our views on them. St Chad's Park was chosen as a site for the graffiti art project following intensive work by the Council's Youth Service with local young people in the area. Last year, the park, off Alexandra Road, Chadwell Heath, became a gathering point for local young people, which created difficulties with local residents and other park users. The project has encouraged young people to take an interest in and have a respect for the local community and their environment. They have been truly committed to the project and have volunteered much of their time.