Sandwell students join global art initiative
26 October 2023
A new art project has been installed by secondary school students from the Phoenix Collegiate in West Bromwich. The exhibition, which aims to celebrate the diversity of the local area,
is currently on display in West Bromwich’s town centre. It is adjacent to the new public realm delivered as part of the West Bromwich
Towns Fund Urban Greening programme.
It consists of large-scale photographs of staff and students, taken at the Collegiate and at local heritage events. It is hoped that, by encouraging conversations around diversity and cultural identity, this installation will help to dismantle barriers and foster connections in the community. From conception to completion, the initiative took over two years. Over 1,000 students participated in the project, either as photographers or models. Although approximately 500 photos were taken, only 150 of these are on display. Students are delighted to have had the chance to get involved. “I enjoyed taking the photographs, especially on the school’s Cultural Dress Day, when we dressed in our cultural clothes. It was also fun to paste the images and see the final photographs all together”, said Madison, aged 17. Through this installation, pupils join an international art movement, the Inside Out Project.
Since 2011, this initiative has seen over 500,000 participants from 152 nations. The Inside Out Project allows individuals worldwide to share their untold stories through public art displays. Participants convey their message by showcasing black-and-white portraits of local people in civic spaces, taking a stand for what they believe in and inspiring change in their communities. So far, over 2,500 exhibitions have been created, focusing on such themes as feminism, racism and climate change.
Each installation is shared on the Inside Out webpage, allowing everyone involved to tell their stories on an international scale. The Collegiate’s involvement in the Inside Out Project stems from the passion of Ms Thea Brown, Subject Lead of Art and Photography, for integrating community art projects into the curriculum.
She said: “This exhibition has provided opportunities for self-expression and meaningful dialogues, resulting in images that warmly embrace diversity and inclusivity. We are so proud of our students and all that they have achieved.” Local councillors are also impressed with the project. Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, Councillor Simon Hackett, added: “Taking part in a global initiative such as this really puts Sandwell on the map.
It is incredible to see our young people taking an active interest in their community and the social issues that affect it. Hopefully this encourages other to follow suit.” The Phoenix Collegiate has worked with local community arts organisation, Multistory, as well as Sandwell Council, to deliver this project to the residents of West Bromwich. To learn more about the initiative, please visit the Inside Out Project page.
