A LOCAL art project took will take to the roads around St Helens this week.
The latest project from Heart of Glass, a social arts company based in St Helens, has transformed an Arriva bus into a strikingly colourful, moving motif.
Working with young people from Wonder Arts (formerly Citadel Arts), the group created a series of drawings based around themes that they felt were important in society today.
Brainstorming ideas as well as speaking with bus drivers about their experiences of driving buses in St Helens, the project evolved to represent issues such as the Black Lives Matter movement, gender identity and equality, along with mental health and wellbeing.
Illustrating how we all have the power to include and support each other, it is hoped that the striking piece of "art on the move" will share a positive message with people across the borough.
As part of a wider series of street art projects, Heart of Glass are also collaborating with regional community organisations to produce further bus designs as well as a series of powerful onboard advertising panels.
Angharad Williams, Head of Programme: Creative People and Places at Heart of Glass comments: “It’s been wonderful to work with our friends and neighbours at Wonder Arts on this project along with the brilliant artist Michelle Wren.
"The young people have blown us away with their creativity, and we can’t wait to see the reactions of the people of St Helens when they see the transformed Arriva bus!”.
Artist Michelle Wren added: “Everything the young people were saying was about inclusivity and acceptance and that was so striking. I know I could have used this bus driving around St Helens when I was growing up to make me feel like it was okay to be me.
"I am so proud of what every young person has brought to this project and their lack of fear to share their voice and be heard.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here