School pupils are to do a ‘Banksy’ and decorate their brand new canteen with graffiti – but instead of landing them in hot water it’s aimed at improving their artistic skills.
The Year Nine students at Rhyl High School have even been taking lessons from a professional graffiti artist whose work is displayed on Rhyl Football Club’s Belle Vue ground and on the town’s T Bridge.
Andy Birch, from Old Colwyn, was hired by Llwyddo’n Lleol – a project funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, to help young people across Conwy and Denbighshire develop their career paths.
The 39-year-old former painter and decorator has been working with the pupils, aged between 13 and 14, on food-themed graffiti to brighten up the new canteen and put their own stamp on it.
He said: “I had always been keen on art in school but left at 16 without any great qualifications and became a painter and decorator but I was always interested in graffiti art and managed to do an increasing amount of it.
“It came to the point where I was wondering whether to take the plunge and go for it when I realised I was actually doing a lot more graffiti work than painting and decorating.”
As well as the football club and Ty Newydd Bridge, Andy’s work can be seen in a number of places across North Wales, including Rhyl’s and Coronation Gardens and Foryd Harbour, at Venue Cymru, Penmaenmawr tunnel and skate parks at Ruthin, Colwyn Bay and Caernarfon.
Now his young proteges at Rhyl High School will also get their chance to see their work immortalised on the walls of the school.
Andy added: “When I talk to young people I always stress that there are places you can paint and places you can’t so I’m not encouraging them to deface property but graffiti art is now accepted as an art form itself and has reached the mainstream.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with the kids here and they’ve shown a lot of talent and imagination and they’ve come up with lots of ideas which is great.
“They seemed to be excited about doing something for their canteen and we’ve been looking at themes around food and drink with an emphasis on healthy eating.
“Even if they’re not gifted as artists it’s still about having a go and working with others to produce something worthwhile that they can be proud of.”
Sean Jones, aged 14, from Rhyl, took part and he said: “The graffiti workshop was great. Andy’s work is amazing and I can’t wait to have another go,” while Daniel Thomas,14, said: “The new canteen area looks so much better, it was bland and boring before and now it looks amazing.”
Jack Bailey, 14, said: “It was really interesting to hear how Andy got into graffiti, he told us all about starting a business and it’s got me thinking about what I could do in the future.”
Caine Bacciochi, 13, added: “The graffiti was ace, I really enjoyed having a go and the work we created together looks smart. It was a really cool day.”
Charlotte Pilbeam, the school’s Head of Creative Arts, said: “We want to inspire the pupils and thanks to Llwyddo’n Lleol we’ve been able to get Andy in to work with them and make them aware of opportunities for careers in the art and design industries.
“Llwyddo’n Lleol have been wonderful, offering incredible support both in this and other projects so that students have had the benefit of top quality advice and training at workshops which Llwyddo’n Lleol have sponsored.
“It’s all about equipping them with skills and that’s where Andy comes in and he has such a good way of communicating with them.
“This is a difficult time for young people looking for jobs and workshops like this help them think outside the box when it comes to future careers. I think they got a lot out of the workshop.
“By getting the pupils involved with providing the artwork for the new canteen it gives them a sense of ownership and can help them steer their own futures.”
Jenni Edwards, Llwyddon’n Lleol Project officer for Conwy and Denbighshire, said: “We’re trying to get students to think about entrepreneurship and starting their own businesses as a future option as it’s not really happening enough here in North Wales.
“It is vital in North Wales not only that we build a strong and skilled workforce but also that young people consider starting up their own business as a future option, because that will also assist in creating a vibrant economy for the region and in turn create more opportunities for the future.”
