2014 has gotten off to a flying start for teenagers in the capital, with a series of creative workshops called Resolutions to help them explore their hopes for the year through art. The Arts in a spectacular exhibition on Wednesday 19 February to help inspire others.
The evening of Wednesday 19 February saw the launch of “Brand Me” a creative vision board displayed on a digital billboard on Old Street Roundabout, managed by JC Decaux – the world’s largest billboard company. The “Brand Me” project organised by training provider Focus For Life included guest speaker sessions on personal branding from international advertising agency M&C Saatchi and workshops led by photographer Kofi Allen and mosaic and collage maker Lauren Baker demonstrating how to create vision boards to express future aspirations.
Focus For Life leader Asha Phillips said: “Brand Me is an energising workshop for young people to help discover both hidden talents, and uncovering dreams and desires. We help them to focus on their goals through teaching key skills in planning, goal setting and fortitude. This is a fun and creative workshop using both Photography and Collage art to showcase and map out each participants aspirations for the future.”
Mosaic artist and workshop leader, Lauren Baker added: “Brand Me is a fantastic project I almost wish they had something like this when I was younger, that way I might of found my true passion and calling a bit earlier in life.”
Participants on the project have developed skills in literacy, presentation and ICT and will be able to gain an Arts Award qualification for their work, which has been produced in library spaces around London.
Past creative projects in the Resolutions series from non-profit Small Green Shoots include the Resolution Tree, an installation in Kings Cross where resolutions were pinned up by locals, and Walthamstow Resolutions, which featured a live art show where young people created illustrations of shoppers’ resolutions inside Walthamstow Shopping Centre.
The digital “Brand Me” vision board will remain on JC Decaux billboard, Old Street Roundabout (Exit 2 onto the north side of Old Street East) until Wednesday 26th February 2014.