SEPTEMBER, 2009
Kwinana Recquatic embrace Aboriginal youth
The Kwinana Recquatic Centre has successfully received funding from The Office of Crime Prevention to develop an Urban Art Project; working with local community youth.
This project is in conjunction with Dan Duggan (Artist) Town of
This project came about from discussions in the Town of
Mary Atkins from Clontarf had identified some local youth that were known "taggers" in the area and was looking for an opportunity to get them involved and put something back in to the community.
After discussions with Marty, Lyn Deveraux (Manager of Recreation and Cultural Services), Amanda Nissen (Youth Services Coordinator) and Barbara Powell (Director of Community Services) it was decided to engage with the youth to draft up a pilot program with specific learning outcomes and objectives, called; Recquatic Crèche Mural.
From this trial project on the exterior of the crèche wall; work would begin on the much larger Urban Art Project called the Recquatic Community Wave.
The direction of both projects went something like this;
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Pre project interview - to get an idea of the boys perception of themselves and the project
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Outline of the theme - this being art aimed at 0 to 6 year olds
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Had participants sign a contract which basically stated they would not be involved in any anti social behaviour over the course of the project. If they were then they would be not allowed to continue on with the project and would not be considered for the Gilmore project
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The boys also had to undertake the cleaning and preparation of the wall prior to the end piece being applied
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Dan Duggan undertook 4 workshops with the boys to brainstorm ideas and get a story board in place
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The final design was approved by the Director of Community Services and chalked on to the wall
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The boys and Dan undertook 2 days of painting and finalising the work to the wall
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The boys also were taught methods in correct design, application of paint, set up of equipment, correct use of PPE and importance of correct preparation and cleaning.
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The final day saw the boys apply a none sacrificial coating to avoid the art work being removed if it was ‘tagged’.
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Marty also took the boys to Armadale to see the work being done there in relation to urban art pieces, and also explored career paths in these fields for the boys to look at pursuing.
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The boys final part in the project was a post personality profile to see how they viewed there involvement in the project and the positive effects it had on them
Further, the group was interviewed by Youth Media with the hope that they could take a portfolio of the project out to local Primary Schools so as to mentor the younger children on the difference between a lawful art project and criminal damage (Graffiti).
Since the completion of this pilot project, the crèche wall has avoided any tagging attacks.
The project has also given the Recquatic Centre useful information for future funding applications, as well as areas for which they can improve in the larger Gilmore project; Recquatic Community Wave. The Artist Dan Duggan will once again be supervising the youth.
So what have they gained; some strong synergy's have already been formed between the Aboriginal youth and the Recquatic Centre, the ability to link the Urban Art Project with specific learning outcomes and objectives, building respect for property, building self esteem amongst the youth, developing skills and provide career direction and much more.
Roger Knight, Kwinana Recquatic Centre Manager said “we are hoping to engage a local teacher/artist in the bigger mural so as to be able to create a sustainable project that can be rolled to other areas of Kwinana.
