Albany’s young creatives paint window panels in ‘art as therapy’ project at Open Access Youth Art Studio

Albany’s youth has transformed a bland building into a vibrant display of colour and creativity for an ‘art as therapy’ project. Every Tuesday from June 25 to September 3 locals aged 12 to 25 wielded pens and brushes covered in glass paint over four large perspex panels at the Open Access Youth Arts Studio, at Albany Youth Support Association (AYSA). Exhibited on the front windows of the AYSA Youth Arts building, each panel was inspired by the elements earth, fire, wind, and water and was completed by about 40 young people including social workers and AYSA staff and funded by Act Belong Commit. Project leader and artist Serena McLauchlan said this project draws at-risk youth into art-making in a safe environment without restriction on talent or technique. “It’s important to have these projects where the outcome isn’t fully set and kids or young people can jump in at any point and feel a part of something,” she said. “And the process of being involved is as important as the outcome. “It was an interesting process seeing what emerged from everyone’s ideas without a preset plan and young people coming up with the ideas and adapting to different problems. “The final product is awesome, I’m really happy and it exceeded my expectations.” McLauchlan said she placed materials from the local environment under the clear panels to help participants form ideas. “A lot of people think they can’t draw and come to a creative blank because a clear slate is quite difficult, so I put stuff underneath so they could see through and trace; so if we’re doing earth I’d lay out leaves and foliage,” she said. “It was great because they could have their creative spin using that framework.” The Vancouver Arts Centre will house the artwork in an exhibition celebrating the Youth Arts Studio later this year.