Gallery rounds up yobs to draw on 'Banksy' talents

IT IS a scheme which might uncover a future Banksy amongst the teenage vandals who leave trails of graffiti in the city centre.

Artists working at the Fruitmarket Gallery in Market Street are set to take a group of youths responsible for the vandal sprees under their wing as part of a new scheme aimed at curbing offending.

The project will see the youngsters learn from experts and channel their "creativity" into producing works of art.

The gallery's educational unit will welcome around a dozen youths to the programme, which is the latest "diversionary activity" being offered to young offenders.

Other recent examples have included horse-riding lessons, boxing training and sessions of playing computer games.

They will be given the chance to create "graffiti-inspired" pieces along with producing fanzines and others drawings.

As well as those responsible for graffiti in central Edinburgh, the scheme, which is expected to launch in February, will involve other youngsters interested in art.

Johnny Gailey, who heads up the gallery's educational department, said: "The council's city centre initiative team came up with the idea because of the problem with graffiti. Part of the strategy is to have education along with prevention and help bring out the kids' creative side and produce a more positive outcome. It will bring them together and give them space and an alternative way to express themselves.

"Some of the work may be graffiti-inspired, but there will be lots of creative opportunities for them. The scheme won't just be for those referred by police."

The gallery and council officials are currently seeking a venue to host the art classes.

Lothian and Borders Police recorded 5,739 cases of vandalism in the Capital between April and October last year, a drop of three per cent.

The force has recently launched an Anti-Graffiti Poster Competition in south Edinburgh, which will see school pupils tasked with designing a full-colour poster with a positive message on the issue.

The competing posters will be judged by a panel from Edinburgh College of Art and the winner's effort will be blown up and mounted on a police advertising trailer and displayed across the city.

PC Yocksan Bell, community beat officer for the Marchmont area, who devised the poster project, said: "Illegal graffiti is something that affects us all. Generally speaking, our community does not approve of such activity and it is regularly reported as a crime.

"It is hoped this type of early intervention will serve to provide a mid to long-term reduction in this type of volume crime."