Costessey pupils graffiti for a good cause
Aerosol cans in hand, a group of students are hoping that as well as getting good grades they will help fight stereotypes ahead of a community project set to jazz up a sporty corner of Costessey.
Year 11 pupils from Ormiston Victory Academy have been busy creating a bee-inspired mural in a new approach to art that will see volunteers help turn a wall of the ground-breaking Parkour site on Breckland road into an exciting splash of colour.
The new approach to the academy's art lessons has been sparked by the arrival of new teacher Andrew Wilson, whose had put his graffiti artistry to good use in a city centre mural in Gentleman's Walk before becoming a full-time teacher. It was decided he should use his skills to re-engage a group of 10 students with learning.
He said: 'It was a brilliant opportunity to show them what aerosol art should be about, and that's having a positive impact and not vandalism. They were also producing something for the school so they felt they had a really positive effect on their environment.
'The result has been amazing, and they've got really got interested as they've seen it progress.'
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Taking a version of the school logo as their basis, the students then suggested ideas and learnt aerosol skills, drawing inspiration from the school's two beehives.
And it is after three weeks work they have completed the 16ft long work of art which will be hung in full view by Student Services.
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Josh Bryant, 15, said: 'It's been good, and we have been learning different techniques and how to get the perfect print. It's been fun and I'm really happy about the finished version.'
Now the school hopes to build on the project alongside South Norfolk Council. Application forms will be sent out to students over the coming weeks to get volunteers to create a graffiti mural on the wall of the Parkour site, which opened to fanfare this June.
Mr Wilson added: 'It's important we do things like this and work together for the benefit of everyone in the community.'
•Helping spruce up your area? Contact John Owens on 01603 772439
