Wheatley hosts street art painting event for older tenants
Older tenants from Glasgow Housing Association and Loretto Housing got a lesson in street art and mural painting at Glasgow arts venue, SWG3.
Robert Little, Agnes Wilson, Beth Howitt, Thomas Grady and Davey Knox
The event allowed older people in Glasgow to discover their inner Banksy - with a little help from Wheatley Group’s Livingwell Service.
They were given expert tuition in creating large scale designs by Glasgow street artist Davey Knox.
As well as creating their own Livingwell themed mural, the tenants were also given a tour of murals at SWG3 and a talk about the history and heritage of street art as part of a new Graffiti Grandparents initiative.
Graffiti Grandparents is open to all tenants at GHA, Cube and Loretto Housing who receive the Livingwell service, which is designed to help older people live in their homes for longer and enjoy activities that help connect them to their community.
The Livingwell service is run by Loretto Care, which is also part of Wheatley Group.
GHA tenant Thomas Grady, who is 75 and lives in Carntyne, said: “This gets the imagination going. I have really enjoyed it – being in the sun, meeting new people and working with all these lovely colours. I have been to a craft class before but this is completely different.”
His neighbour, Robert Little, who is 89, added: “You would be a poor man not to enjoy this.”
Loretto Housing tenant, Agnes Wilson, 81, from Partickhill, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed myself and had great fun. It’s a great crowd of people. I have done art in the past, but more landscapes and animals. This is totally different. I keep waiting for the police to come up and chase me”.
GHA tenant Beth Howitt, 81, from Castlemilk, added: “It has been super –lots of fun. I enjoyed looking at the art – some of the work is lovely. It is very different and it has also been good to meet different people from different parts of the city. It has been a lovely day.”
Davey Knox also said: “People have a misconception that graffiti art is just for young people. We need to break down that barrier. It is good to get the message across that it is for everyone and everyone can have a shot at expressing themselves.”
Ailsa Docherty, Livingwell service manager, added: “This was a great chance for tenants to get together, express themselves and learn a new skill. It was a really fun morning and a different way for people to enjoy a creative activity.”