Wallsend Park is now a little bit brighter after a group of young painters took their new found skills to one of the field's sheds.
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| Deputy Lord Mayor Jason Dunn watches the painting of the Wallsend Park mural Picture: Supplied |
The youths are members of the Street Art Education Program, an initiative sponsored by NSW Juvenile Justice and the PCYC. It is also supported by Newcastle Council.
The program was kick-started to help kerb illegal graffiti in Newcastle and aims to do so by teaching pupils new artistic skills and ways to practice their craft legitimately.
It also distinguishes illegal and legal public art and also points out the association graffiti often has with other, more serious, crimes.
Deputy Lord Mayor Jason Dunn was at Wallsend Park while the youths were at work on Wednesday, and said it will help liven up the western suburbs.
"It helps to brighten up some otherwise dull areas of Newcastle," Cr Dunn said.
"I know the piece down at Wallsend Park; I was there yesterday and met the youths involved and it's turned out fantastic.
"It's turned a very dull, dingy looking shed into a beautiful artwork and certainly brightens up the park area."
Illegal graffiti in the Newcastle LGA is currently cleaned-up by council staff at ratepayers expense.
"Removing graffiti has cost council around $640,000 in the past year," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
"This initiative is a way we can proactively tackle this issue and hopefully reduce annual costs."
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| Cr Dunn with Leanne Tillock at the Wallsend Park mural on Wednesday Picture: Supplied |
Leanne Tillock from the Newcastle Juvenile Justice Community Office said the program has also taught youths about the immense costs of graffiti to their city.
"It builds a sense of pride and respect for public spaces, and reinforces pro-social beliefs about the role of graffiti art in urban culture," Ms Tillock said.
