Burnley young people to produce new public artwork

Young people in Burnley will be working with acclaimed British artist, Mark Titchner, to produce new public artwork to be displayed in the town.

The project is focused on young people and gives them the chance to work closely with artists and the partners involved to commission digital art.

It aims to bring high-quality artwork to communities and local libraries, allowing more people to take part in, be inspired by and be able to see world-class art.

Mark will be working with the young people throughout this year on the project, with the aim of making their thoughts and opinions visible in public spaces in Burnley from May 2017.

Young people in Wigan and Hull will also work on the project, displaying their work where they live and linking people and their stories across the three locations.

This is part of 'Networked Narrative', led by Foundation for Art and Creative Technology (FACT), Liverpool.

Networked Narrative consists of four main partners: Lancashire County Council, FACT, Inspiring healthy lifestyles and Hull Culture & Leisure Ltd. These organisations will work with smaller partners, Artlink, Burnley Central Library, Burnley Youth Theatre, Burnley College, Wigan’s Youth Voice and Engagement Team, Gateway, Wigan Youth Zone and Wigan Libraries.

Liverpool-based FACT offers a unique programme of exhibitions, film and participant-led art projects.

Lancashire County Council's head of libraries, museums, culture and registrar's service, Julie Bell, said: "This project will give the young people involved a superb opportunity to work with Mark, who is actually a Turner Prize-nominated professional artist.

"They will get the chance to air their views and opinions in a shared public space."

A selection panel of ten young people, from Burnley, Wigan and Hull, chose to work with Mark from a shortlist of two other artists. Mia Le-Fabour, aged 14 from Burnley and part of the selection panel, said: "I selected Mark because I liked the possibility of art entering our everyday lives and coming inside our homes, as a tea towel or on a chippy paper wrapper."

Artist Mark Titchner said: "I'm delighted to have been selected by the young people, and to have an opportunity to work with them over the coming months.

"I personally see this project as a chance for the young people to run an advertising campaign for their own personal thoughts and opinions.

"We'll display these views publicly and add a new dimension to the shared space of a town centre and what is normally advertised there."

During May and June, young people from Burnley will work closely with Mark through a series of workshops to shape and develop what artworks will be created, which might be displayed on billboards, T- shirts, posters and online.

Young people in Burnley aged 13 to 25 can still get involved in this project by calling 0151 707 4414 or by emailing [email protected]