Urban garden is feeding off the energy of young people
LIVING ARTWORK CREATED BY CHARITY VOLUNTEERS TRANSFORMS SPACE
ART is being brought to life in the heart of Newcastle’s city centre.
An urban garden which has been designed and created by young volunteers is taking shape behind The Gate, near Stowell Street.
Young people from charity Streetwise have worked with public art specialists, The Gate and the National Trust to create the living artwork.
Moss, ferns and other plants are being used to create a mural which spells out ‘Gatekeepers’ – the name given to the project.
The project aims to help young people gain new skills, learn about biodiversity and ecology and gain employment options.
Ellen Smith, service manager at Streetwise, which supports young people in Newcastle, said: “It’s about getting young people involved in looking after the city centre.
“It’s a positive space in the city centre and when they have got ownership of a project, they are more likely to look after it.”
Zara Batey, a 16-year-old college student from Newcastle, was one of those taking part in the project.
She said: “I helped to make the design we’re going to use and I’ve been helping create this wall. “It’s taken a little while to get to grips with everything but I have really enjoyed it as well.” It is hoped that the green space will encourage insects, birds, bees and butterflies to the area and will be a quiet haven among the city centre bustle. Artecology, experts in ecological public art, have been helping to bring the design to life. Director Nigel George said: “This is a very special design. The making of this is part of a much bigger project. “People are happier and healthier and they work better if they have a wildlife encounter.” Ian Boyd, also from Artecology, added: “This wonderful sculpture will be full of nooks and crannies which will be populated. “People will linger here instead of using it as a cut-through.” The garden is set to be completed by Thursday and then the management of the finished wall will be led by the National Trust and Streetwise. Inge Johnson Mitchell, centre manager of The Gate, said: “We are excited to be giving an area of the centre over to the creative talents of young people from the city. “I can’t wait to see what the final designs look like and see them in place on our new garden wall.”
We are excited to be giving an area of the centre over to the creative talents of young people from the city Inge Johnson Mitchell