South Holland district councillors told of plans for street art project for schools and colleges

A new street art project will be heading into schools with the organisation leading the scheme being asked to speak to councillors.

The success of the nautical themed community street art project which has taken place at St Paul’s Skatepark, also known as The Bloc, in Spalding was discussed by members of the South Holland District Council policy development panel.

The panel was looking at the ‘marmite’ street art policy which was introduced last year after street artists Karl Barfoot and Adam Sadd originally lobbied the council for space.

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Assistant Director for Leisure and Culture Phil Perry told Wednesday’s meeting that there are plans for a street art project in schools and colleges to be run by Transported Art, which is also behind a number of other art schemes in the area including the controversial £35,000 bid to transform Abbey Passage in Spalding.

He said: “I know comment has been made by Abbey Passage. It is a slightly different art form but it has worked in Boston.

“It would be nice to have a space for people to go for public art.”

Coun Rob Gibson was behind the Bloc skatepark bid after unsavoury symbols had been sprayed onto the site.

He said: “On the whole, the youngsters are quite respectful and understand what we are trying to do. There are some bad apples. There’s some respect for our street artists.”

Coun Gibson, who is the St Paul’s ward member, expressed admiration for the street artists’ skills.

He said: “I would like to do more of this street art in South Holland. The guys we have got are fantastic and they are willing to show youngsters and to teach.”

Coun Gibson questioned if the council should keep some of the money instead of “giving it to third parties”.

He said: “Transported seem to take a bit of money and I don’t ever seem to have an idea of what they are doing.

“Can we not do something within our council and provide for our youth. I have never met them (Transported).

Mr Perry suggested that the Transported should come to the panel to give a presentation.

Panel chairman Coun Andrew Woolf said that the street art policy was ‘marmite’ and said that it is working after having a ‘proper testing’.

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