Creativity is at the ‘art’ of gallery’s success

OPEN for business . . . young artists involved in the project (from the left) Jemma Houten, Lindsay Milnes, Tania Begum, Anna Roebuck (support officer) Hazera Begum, Rabia Begum (Gallery 37 plus co-ordinator), Julie Ashforth, Amanda Brown, Paul Longden, Tricia Eyre and Kirsty Want

TEENAGERS in Oldham are bursting with creative talent — and they have their own town-centre gallery to prove it.

Gifted young people have been creating stunning jewellery and innovative animation as well as photography displays and urban music.

And it is on display for everyone to enjoy at Gallery 37 in Manchester Chambers.

The work was created by teens who have been involved in the Gallery 37 Plus Youth Project, an apprenticeship programme for people aged 16 to 19 who are not in employment, education or training.

The intensive four-week summer programme allows young people to gain professional arts experience and also offers the chance to gain an Arts Council arts award accreditation at bronze level.

And the Oldham scheme has been so successful that the unit in the Manchester Chambers has been expanded to cover two floors.

The first continues to operate as a traditional gallery shop, selling and displaying artwork, while the second offers a base for multi-media work, including listening stations for urban music.

Visitors can also enjoy photographic stills and animation and a film on a ghost story theme.

Other talented young people who helped to create pieces of the gallery include organisations Kerrching, Looked-After Children, Connexions and the Young People’s Advisory Board.

However, Oldhamers have only a few more days to enjoy the eye-catching exhibitions, as tomorrow is the final day of trading at the gallery, whose opening hours are 10.30am to 3.30pm.