Expand Your Horizons is an art-based youth programme run by the Cromwell Youth Trust – the art created by young people is being exhibited from tonight and will be sold as a fundraiser for future programmes.

The art will be exhibited at OCTA art space in the Cromwell Historic Precinct from tonight and through the weekend, accompanied with a silent auction.

Expand Your Horizons took a group of young people through two weeks of learning the techniques of pottery and painting on clay, and a second two weeks learning about capturing professional photographic images, culminating in a helicopter flight.

The art created through these four weeks will be sold by silent auction tonight as a fundraiser for future youth programmes.

Youth worker Eden Wilson said when the trust plans programmes, they always ask young people what their interests are – art and photography came high on the list.

“They turned out some amazing stuff with pottery; everyone used different strategies and tactics and it all turned out awesomely,” Eden said.

“Then with photography, it was a new art media some had never tried, while others gained more skills and experience from a professional perspective.

“They’ve learned skills they can now take on forever, and take further if they want.”

This is a sample of the pottery created by young people, which will be on display and for sale from tonight through until Sunday.

The two weeks of photography workshops ended with a twist – a helicopter flight over Cromwell.

“The helicopter flight was a once in a lifetime chance for some of them,” Eden explained.

“Through both the pottery and the photography, they’ve explored ways to express themselves, they’ve connected with different people in the community and they’ve developed a range of skills and confidence.”

Eden said the programme had sold out within 48 hours, and they would like to be able to offer it again in the future.

They had been lucky, she said, to have been able to access funding through the Creative Communities scheme, and to have had such awesome support and assistance from individuals and businesses in the local community. 

This high level of support had decreased barriers to participation for young people.

“We’re lucky to live in a community like Cromwell,” Eden said.

“This has been such a good way for them all to find new interests, grow confidence, make connections, build on them and grow.”

Everyone is invited to opening night tonight at 6.00pm at OCTA Gallery in the Cromwell Heritage Precinct.

The exhibition will remain for viewing Saturday and Sunday, with bids for the silent auction able to be placed until closing on Sunday.

Funds raised will help CYT provide future programmes for our youth.

Images supplied