By Callum Ludwig
A collection of artworks from young creatives in the Upper Yarra is on display at the Redwood Community Centre.
As part of the Victorian Youth Fest, young artists including 30 students from the Upper Yarra Secondary College submitted pieces that will in future be mounted at the centre.
Young artist Pearl Belcher said it was about representing Warburton and what young people want in the town.
“We are trying to showcase more youth around Warburton because there isn’t always much here for young people in Warburton, so we want to promote it a bit more and get them more involved in the community,” she said.
“Art brings together communication, community and our connection so it’s really good to see people getting in amongst the artwork.”
The first showcase of the art was held at the Redwood Community Centre on Tuesday 26 September from 12pm to 1pm, currently adorning the windows at the back of the centre.
Ms Belcher said it was nice to see so many others get involved in submitting pieces.
“Some of the artwork is about what the artist wants the world to look like, others have decorated pigeons with different characteristics of themselves or of Warburton,” she said.
“I did a spider web that had satin in the middle of it, one with a tree and some silver through it and one with my friend’s hands to symbolise like creativity, community and coming together.”
The Victorian Youth Fest is a Victorian Government initiative that has provided $220,000 in funding to 111 organisations to host events and projects for young people around the state throughout September, having expanded on the successful Victorian Youth Week held in 2022.
Ms Belcher said it’s really good to see young people’s creativity on display and she hopes it happens more.
“I think it would be really good if we could have more art projects and showcases, and get more art displayed around Warburton,” she said.
