Phoebe creates pop up mural for birthday celebration

A YOUNG Lyme Regis artist was invited to showcase her talents at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre last week.

Phoebe Hill, 16, travelled to London to help celebrate the fifth birthday of Arts Award – a national qualification which has helped 40,000 young people develop their creative talents and skills.

Themed “grow your own”, the event was hosted by TV presenter and Arts Award Champion, Ben Shephard, and was attended by senior figures from the arts and arts education world, as well as supporters including hip hop artist, character actor and director Benji Reid.

At the birthday, Phoebe created a ‘pop-up’ mural, which drew inspiration from her 2009 Big Draw project for which she was awarded the Big Draw Arts Award Prize for displaying leadership in planning an event

Phoebe organised a large chalk drawing that was completed by members of the public on a playground surface as part of the Lyme Regis Arts Fest. After winning the prize Phoebe went on to complete her Silver Arts Award, a Level 2 qualification.

Using her Big Draw project as a starting point, Phoebe developed the birthday mural with the help of professional sculptor Martin Russell, inspired by the clay paintings of renowned land artist Richard Long. Guests were invited to add to her piece of art throughout the event using fluorescent liquid chalk markers, their designs and messages glowing under UV light.

Speaking about her work and involvement in Arts Award, Phoebe said: “I feel really privileged to have been invited to contribute to the Arts Award 5th Birthday, and to have the opportunity to co-ordinate a part of the event. Being put in a position of responsibility throughout my Silver Arts Award has had a big impact on me, allowing me to gain skills and experience far beyond those offered in my school education. Working alongside artists has been extremely rewarding, challenging and inspiring and I urge young people who are interested in Arts Award to get involved.”