A Spalding artist has been given a grant to work with young people and help create ‘cowboy’ themed artwork in the town.
Ryan Gilmartin has been announced as one of the winners of St Hugh’s Foundation for the Arts 2024 awards.
Each year the charity donates £15,000 to six artists for their projects.
Ryan is looking to create a ‘Cowboy Catwalk’ with groups of 12 to 18-year-olds in the autumn. It will be free to get involved.
“I’m really grateful for the support from St Hugh’s Foundation and I’m proud to be flying the flag for South Lincolnshire,” he said. “The project will feature sessions where young people can come along and contribute to a Cowboy Catwalk event, merging live music, fashion and food.
“We are in talks with a store to take over their store and create a really exciting, high quality event for young people.
“To me the cowboy and cowgirl image reminds me of so many things I associate with Lincolnshire: independence, resistance and living alongside the land.
“But it can also be really lonely here too, that’s something I keep hearing in every project I do, both from older and younger people.
“During the project young people will work in teams to put together a look that expresses an issue that worries them.
“It’s a chance to give young people a voice and ask the wider community “does this worry you too?”
“Young people can come, learn skills and cut their teeth on any part of it: event management, music, design or marketing.
“There are not many places where young people can do that these days, but it’s the best way to learn and will hopefully it will lead to the next generation of local people who can make stuff happen here.”
Ryan has been involved with a number of projects and is also currently working with street artist Karl Barfoot and Arc Presents.
“For me that’s what it’s all about,” he continued. “Being part of a group of local people who are all doing their own thing but together we all share a positive vision for this area and what it could be.”
For more information on the project you can follow Ryan on Instagram @ryan.gilmartin1 or join his mailing list ryangilmartin.co.uk
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