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Town centre is canvas for graffiti artists

25/ 4/2008

TEENAGERS from Accrington and Rossendale College have been leaving graffiti around town – but it’s all part of a new art course.

The 15 young students started a 12-week graffiti course last week and have been allowed to use buildings around Accrington as their canvas.

They have started work on a mural at the New Era Centre on Paradise Street, with the skate park on Eagle Street and Hyndburn Crossroads on King Street next in line for a makeover.

Tammy Foley from Accrington and Rossendale College said the course was getting youngsters excited about education.

She said: "This is a really fantastic new course as it’s a form of contemporary art which holds the interest of teenagers.

"When done properly it can look absolutely fantastic.

"The course is not only teaching teenagers new skills, but also allowing them to have fun while they do it, which is just as important.

"To be able to see their accomplishments on walls and buildings around their home town for years to come is a big achievement and something that they can all be proud of."

At the end of the course students will display their work at a new art gallery in the town centre.

The course is run by a Liverpool company, Zapp Graffiti Arts, which has worked with schools and community groups for 13 years to promote graffiti as a positive art form.