Paisley is gearing up for an art celebration
Day will mark Scotland’s Year of Young People
Paisley town centre is set to be transformed into a place for creative young people.
It will host a mass celebration of their creativity and artistic achievements to mark 2018 as Scotland’s Year of Young People.
A series of youth arts events will take place next Friday from noon until 10pm.
And they are being organised by Impact Arts, Create Paisley and PACE Theatre Company.
The day will feature many free events for all ages and will include performances and artwork by participants on community arts programmes from Renfrewshire and beyond.
There will also be masterclasses from prominent Scottish writers and musicians.
Also included will be the national showcase of Impact Arts’ CashBack to the Future project at Paisley Abbey between 3.30pm and 6.30pm.
This will feature live music, drama performances and visual art created by almost 200 young people from across Scotland.
This will mark the end of a summer programme funded by the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities initiative through the seized proceeds of crime.
From 7.30pm, the Write Here Write Now: Young Writers’ Showcase will take place at Paisley Town Hall, featuring spoken word performances, songwriting and screenwriting from Scotland’s most exciting new talent.
There will also be workshops and masterclasses by writers Alan Bissett and Douglas Maxwell, poet Jenny Lindsay and musicians Marie Collins and Michael Cassidy.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing our CashBack to the Future young people to Paisley for our national showcase,” said Impact Arts’ head of delivery Natalie McFadyen White.
“Our creative team of songwriters, animators, actors, sculptors, painters and more have been working with disadvantaged young people across Scotland – including in Paisley’s own Ferguslie Park.
“We’re thrilled to be in partnership with Create Paisley and PACE Youth Theatre as part of a celebration of the unique imagination and talent that young people bring to the table.”
Create Paisley’s Alan Clark said: “By joining forces with Impact Arts we are creating a Youth Arts takeover in Paisley, a true celebration for Year of Young People.”
“We expect over 500 young people from across Scotland to be engaging and showcasing their creativity.”
Jenni Mason, artistic director at PACE Youth Theatre, added: “We are delighted to be part of an exciting day celebrating youth arts.”