Hayle Station has been given a street art-style makeover, thanks to a community project designed to tackle anti-social graffiti.
Hayle Art Project — a collaboration between GWR, British Transport Police, Tate St Ives, Hayle Town Council and local young people — was launched in the spring, when 12 students from Hayle Academy, Bodriggy Academy, and Penpol School took part in artist-led workshops at Tate St Ives.
Their brief was to create two artworks to enhance the passenger shelter at Hayle Station, for the benefit of the local community and visitors. The young people took inspiration from both Cornish landmarks and urban art.
The Hayle Art Project team point out that many young people in Cornwall face rural isolation and lack of access to employment and creative and cultural opportunities, which — along with the fallout from the pandemic — has led to a mental health and wellbeing crisis.
Rachael Woodhead, Tate St Ives curator for families, schools, and young people, said: “A visit to a gallery where you are welcomed and inspired, and the excitement of seeing a work of art for real and creating and experimenting alongside practising artists, has a profound effect on wellbeing and confidence.
“We know that the barriers to accessing these opportunities are very real, and projects like Hayle Art Project are created to overcome them. We aim to make young people’s achievements visible by celebrating and sharing them through Tate St Ives’ platforms and in our community.
“Hayle Art Project was made possible because local agencies came together with a shared aim to open access to art, artists and creative opportunities for young people, and create artwork that would benefit the whole community. Tate St Ives looks forward to continuing these partnerships and creating more inspirational art experiences for local young people in the future.”
The artworks were displayed at Tate St Ives before being installed at Hayle Station. It is hoped that the project will be the first of many in the town. The organisations involved welcome practical suggestions from the community for further ways to address anti-social behaviour.
