Island Learning Centre students co-create stunning artwork promoting understanding between generations

A new ‘Flower of Life’ artwork at Newport Bus Station has been co-created by students at the Island Learning Centre, artist Nathan Holt, and various Island organisations and prominent local people, with the aim of promoting understanding between generations and better community cohesion.

Young Cultural Changemakers
The stunning work is part of Artswork’s Young Cultural Changemakers programme on the Isle of Wight, which empowers young people to make a positive difference to their communities through creativity and is one of several funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner with the aim of strengthening communities and reducing crime.

90 unique petals
The flower is made up of 90 individual MDF petals, each decorated by a different person in the community. As well as creating their own petals, the students led sessions with younger children at Hunnyhill Primary School and older people from Northbrooke House and Independent Arts.

Others who contributed to the piece included staff and governors at the Island Learning Centre; staff at Southern Vectis where the work is sited; Veteran Outreach Support; Active Living; IW Council’s director of children, young people and families Ashley Whittaker; and Richard Quigley MP.

The work is the result of a 12 week project where the students worked with Nathan Holt exploring themes around empathy and how we treat others, particularly across the generations.

Lainson: Nathan was instrumental to student engagement
Juliet Lainson, art and design lead at the Island Learning Centre, explained why it’s important that students get the opportunity to work with professional artists,

“Having creative practitioners lead workshops helps to break down some of the barriers between young people and their perception of adults, helping to increase student confidence and provide different experiences beyond the curriculum.

“Being a positive male role model, Nathan was instrumental to student engagement, particularly among some of the boys.”

Lainson: This offered real life experience
An important aspect of the Young Cultural Changemakers programme is promoting youth leadership. Juliet said the students really excelled in taking ownership of the project and adapting to different generations, settings and needs.

She said,

“Students identified particular groups they would like to work with and we were able to implement this through the opportunities this project provided.

“This offered real life experience, widened conversations and generated understanding which has created lasting consideration for the people the students have met.”

Holt: I hope it will be enjoyed by the whole community
Artist Nathan Holt added,

“The students embraced every challenge and excelled in their creativity.

“The final outcome is even more impressive than I had envisioned, representing a true multigenerational collaboration that I hope will be enjoyed by the whole community and spreads a message of togetherness far and wide.”

Rainford: We are immensely proud of the students
Peta Rainford, placemaking creative producer at Artswork added,

“One of the highlights of the project has been seeing the students’ confidence grow as they share their skills with people from different generations.

“We are immensely proud of the students and grateful to all the organisations and individuals who supported this project, in particular Southern Vectis for giving the final piece such a prominent position in the community.”

Moye: We’re delighted
Simon Moye, operations manager at Southern Vectis commented,

“We’re delighted to be hosting the ‘Flower of Life’ at Newport Bus Station. As an established presence within the local community, Southern Vectis services are used by many people across the Island – young and old.

“This collaborative project has provided an opportunity for shared understanding between generations – and we are proud to be displaying the spectacular piece of art that has been created by all those involved.”

Artswork’s Young Cultural Changemaker programme is funded by the UK Government through Arts Council England.

News shared by Peta on behalf of Artswork. Ed