Artistic youngsters create a graphic novel
A group of young people have been bossing their art skills during lockdown.
Art Boss aims to develop creative skills in a group of care experienced young people and young carers.
The project started in January 2020 with hopes of the young people putting on stage shows and visiting the Edinburgh Fringe.
Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic put paid to that, but they swiftly moved the workshops online and the teenagers quickly adapted.
Since last March, the group has been taking part in online workshops covering skills like poetry, filmmaking, script writing, music and event planning.
Their most recent work is a graphic novel, The Attic, which will be launched at Paisley Book Festival today at 2pm.
The group of creative young people took part in a series of graphic novel workshops with professional illustrator Charlotte Cabrie.
Marie Collins, music project producer and creative lead for Art Boss, said:“The Art Boss group has worked incredibly hard throughout lockdown and adapted so well to a new digital way of working.
“We’ve had a jam-packed programme since March last year.
“By learning from professional arts producers, the group has gone on to produce a lot of its own creative online content.
“They produced a spoken work film‘This Is For The’where the young people wrote a poem dedicated to key workers and was showcased as part of this year’s online Sma’Shot Day event.
“The Art Bossers also wrote, filmed and produced their own Halloween film, which was showcased on international platform RenTV.
“Through all the workshops and sessions, the graphic novel has definitely been a highlight of the programme so far, and it’s really exciting for the young people that they have a platform to showcase their work at an international festival.”
The Attic has been published and will be distributed in cafes and to young people as soon as lockdown eases.
Marie said the feedback has been really positive from the young people involved in Art Boss. Brandon said:“I like that Art Boss can be fun and creative as well as being able to freely participate in a local group where we share the same interests,” while Lauren said:“Art Boss is a group of people who challenge and inspire you and it will change your life.”
The project is a partnership between Renfrewshire Leisure, Renfrewshire Council Youth Services and Children’s Services. It is ongoing, with funding in place until 2023.
There are currently around eight core participants aged between 14 and 18 and Marie said they all insist it’s helped them cope with lockdown.
“They are all really creative and arty,”she said.
“The young people we’re working with, their lives can be a bit hectic and they’ve said this has been a really nice space for them to come and chat with other people.
“Even from a social perspective, for them to be able to chat with their pals and do something cool has been important.”
The Art Boss event at Paisley Book Festival takes place today at 2pm. Go to https:// paisleybookfest.com for more details.