Youth in Motion - Life Works Art

 Youth Art Adds WOW Factor At Robins Park

 
Robins Park came alive yesterday with a temporary art installation. City parks staff and young people from Youth in Motion-- Life Works installed 18 painted silhouettes at Robins Park located at 620 Park Ave.  

The cut-outs were created by Nanaimo youth who participate in the Youth in Motion --Life Works Program. Life Works is an innovative youth program run through the Nanaimo Family Life Association. It targets vulnerable and at-risk youths between the ages of 12 to 24. Visual arts, theatre, dance, and other art forms, are used to engage the youth. This project has allowed students to participate in discussion around the community, public art and its impacts, themes and designs. The art installation is an exciting opportunity for the young artists to leave a legacy in the neighbourhood.  

Under the guidance of artist Yvonne VanderKooi, the youth have created human silhouettes on exterior sign board and then painted them with colour abstract designs. The art was attached to  the building facades to animate the park space and positively showcase youth. 

The project involved 18 - 20 actively engaged young people from the conception of the idea in January to the project completion with the installation yesterday. They should all be proud of their efforts as it certainly brings to life an otherwise basic, boring building. The next time you are in the area stop by and take a look, you won't be disappointed.