Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) graduate Michelle Maxwell was joined by some of the young people from Pilton Youth & Children’s Project to celebrate the completion of a ‘Wizard of Oz’ themed environmental art project which has transformed an unused green space in the heart of the Edinburgh neighbourhood.

The brainchild of Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association’s neighbourhood team, the environmental arts initiative has seen ECA students transform five vandalism hot spots at various Castle Rock Edinvar properties around Edinburgh, including the now familiar multi-coloured Cowgate pillars. So far the new artworks are helping to deter vandalism and money saved will be redirected to benefit the community.

Michelle’s unique design for a ‘No Place Like Home’ weather vane inspired the youngsters to get involved to create an attractive planted space for the artwork featuring a yellow brick road for the community to enjoy.

Michelle said: “The final design consisted landscaping of the green area into large humps such as the ones on the way to Oz and flowers were planted along the yellow brick path that was also installed, with help of the younger residents that lived there. The weather vane points in every direction of the surrounding houses saying ‘there’s no place like home’, to create a sense of pride and community within the estate.

“Living in a community co-ordinated council estate myself, this project was very close to my heart. I really wanted to residents to be proud of their estate and I hoped to bring a sense of togetherness and community back to the empty communal space by involving the younger members of the community in the installation.”