A once-dreary subway has been transformed into a bright and welcoming space.
The subway, adjacent to Sandown Station, is one of three youth-led placemaking projects featured at the Back on Track exhibition at Quay Arts.
Young people from the Youth Justice Service, Lionheart School and Bay Youth Project, working through Artswork’s Young Cultural Changemaker programme, designed improvements for the area to address concerns that it felt unsafe and unwelcoming.
A participant from the Youth Justice Service said: "I think a mural in the subway will really help. People won’t want to graffiti if there’s lots of pattern."
Working with Community Murals Isle of Wight, the group designed a mural for the subway at Los Altos with the theme Light at the End of the Tunnel.
The artwork aims to convey a message of positivity and the way nature moves along the railway.
Peta Rainford, placemaking creative producer at Artswork, said: "It’s great to see all three projects come together on the Café Wall at Quay Arts.
"I am immensely proud of all the young people involved.
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"Although the three groups worked separately, they shared the aim of addressing concerns around antisocial behaviour and safety, increasing the sense of community ownership and making the station a more welcoming space."
Students from Lionheart School developed a 3D artwork for the station platform with artist Jo Kori.
Their concept reflects the history and future of rail travel on the Isle of Wight.
Meanwhile, young people from Bay Youth Project documented the station through photography and podcasts with artists Trudie Wilson and Jake Richardson.
Their work, which explores how the station is experienced and perceived, feature in the exhibition.
The placemaking projects are part of the wider celebration of 200 years of rail travel.
They were funded by South Western Railway CCIF, Arts Council England and Isle of Wight Community Rail Partnership CIC.
The work was also supported by Island Line, Island Roads, Southern Vectis, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Sandown Library and the Briars Guest House.
Back on Track runs until Saturday, June 6.
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