Sure maybe we could make art as good as Banksy did in London

Aaron Rush (on the left) and Joseph McGonagle from Oakgrove Integrated School. Eddie Breslin Good Relations Officer Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Noel McNulty Housing Services Manager Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the Deputy Mayor of Derry and Strabane Alderman Thomas Kerrigan, Joe Brolly manager 4rs Reuse Workshop Pennyburn, Ethan Shiels and Eoin Coyle from St Josephs Boys School pictured recently at a NIHE Community Cohesion funded project for young people at 4rs recycling workshop. DER1116GS035

Pupils from St Joseph’s Boys and Oakgrove College visited the 4Rs Reuse Workshop on Tuesday where they got a first look at some of the exciting projects that have been lined up for them.

Recycling manager at the 4Rs Joe Brolly said: “The project is cross community and about bringing children from different backgrounds together through recycling and graffiti art.”

He explained that rather than concentrate on flags or emblems the youngsters will expressing their art through other symbols such as the shirt factories, the city walls and the City of Culture.”

Pupils Caolan McGonagle, Oakgrove College and James Devine, St. Joseph's Boys' School spray painting a wardrobe at the launch of the of the 4rs Reuse Schools' Project, funded by the Housing Executive. Looking on are Eddie Breslin, Housing Executive Good Relations Officer, Donal O'Doherty, graffiti artist, and Richie McRory, 4rs Reuse Workshop. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)
(Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics) — Pupils Caolan McGonagle, Oakgrove College and James Devine, St. Joseph's Boys' School spray painting a wardrobe at the launch of the of the 4rs Reuse Schools' Project, funded by the Housing Executive. Looking on are Eddie Breslin, Housing Executive Good Relations Officer, Donal O'Doherty, graffiti artist, and Richie McRory, 4rs Reuse Workshop. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics) (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

The students will attend the 4rs workshop once a week and the project will culminate with an exhibition at the end of May.

Joe continued: “We want to ensure those who participate in walk away secure in the knowledge they can continue on to further education, training and employment and through this they can make a vital contribution to the area in which they live. I’d like to thank the Housing Executive for their support of this initiative, without it the project would not have been possible.”

The Housing Executive’s Good Relations Officer for the area, Eddie Breslin, said:

“We are committed to community cohesion and were pleased to support this project by 4rs Reuse Workshop. Ensuring young people have an opportunity to work together to develop good relations as they participate in the workshops is an important contribution to their personal development.

Pupils from Oakgrove College and St. Joseph's Boys' School testing their skills at spray painting a wardrobe at the launch of the of the 4rs Reuse Schools' Project, funded by the Housing Executives Community Cohesion Unit. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)
(Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics) — Pupils from Oakgrove College and St. Joseph's Boys' School testing their skills at spray painting a wardrobe at the launch of the of the 4rs Reuse Schools' Project, funded by the Housing Executives Community Cohesion Unit. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics) (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

“The project’s twin messages, supporting young people with their goal and aspirations as well as caring for the environment, underpins the Housing Executive’s vision for Northern Ireland. I commend all of those involved and look forward to seeing the final pieces of artwork on display for everyone to admire.”

The initiative is aimed at young people aged 16-18 years with and with-out disabilities from both sides of the community who are a risk of not remaining in education or undertaking training. It is being funded by the Housing Executive and run by 4rs Reuse Workshop.

The 4Rs Resuse Workshop is run by the Resource Centre. Its mission is to reuse unwanted furniture and electrical goods and to upcycle these goods for retail resale. In doing this, they provide the opportunity to develop skills among local people. The concept of this project was piloted over the past two years achieving good results.