Southampton artists give West Quay car park an urban glow up

A multi-storey car park was transformed into an urban art gallery to empower young people to find their voice through creativity.

Southampton’s West Quay car park became Multi-Stories Chapter 3, an event which hosted a variety of creative workshops.

It included chalk and tape art, a graffiti canvas creation, skateboarding lessons and a live art wall design competition.

Organisers said this year’s “connections” theme aimed to explore how art brings people together, both physically and emotionally.

Beyond the bold colours and striking visuals, Multi-Stories also plays an important role in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people.

The event last weekend encouraged young attendees to explore their emotions through art and social interaction.

Rebecca Baldwin is a 16-year-old artist, born in China before moving to Southampton aged nine.

“When I paint, I’m not really thinking about anything else,” she said

“I’m just thinking about what’s going on the canvas, on the board and I think it takes my mind off my anxiety with GCSEs.”

She explained how painting has allowed her to bring aspects of other cultures to Southampton.

“Being part of the painting community is the same no matter where you are in the world,” Ms Baldwin said.

She added: “I decided to paint a koi fish which is the symbol for friendship and love from Japan.”

Alongside the artwork, members of the public were invited for skating sessions on temporary ramps placed outside the car park.

This was led by Get Up skating school, the only female-led skate school on the south coast.

Its founder Ida Kavitz said: “Skateboarding has come a really long way but it is still predominantly male dominated.

“We want people to not question whether they’re welcomed and supported in our environment; we’re very loud and proud about making everybody feel supported.

“Skateboarding gets people outside, gets people away from screens, and it creates a sense of community and belonging, which isn’t there when you’re doom-scrolling through Instagram.”

Ozzy Crawley skates with We Skate Sotton, a women-led skate community which aims to make the sport more accessible.

“It just didn’t seem as intimidating as it could have been. When you picture a skate park I’m thinking of the guys in their baggy shorts and they all look super cool and they all make it look so easy.

“But communities like this, you’re never not going to be welcome regardless of if you just want to come and watch or join in,” they said.

Jennifer Mon, 24, from Portugal, is a collage and graphic designer, who found a community in Southampton through art.

“I moved to Southampton during the pandemic for uni and art has become a really big part of my life,” she said.

“There’s something quite freeing about turning off your phone because social media these days is not just about communicating, it kind of creates this brain overload, like this information overload in your head and making art just sort of makes it a little bit quieter.

“I think everybody should definitely turn off their phone and do something with their hands.

“A lot of artists have made art because of their pain or to express it, so it’s a very natural process for you to think, oh I have this feeling, I don’t know how I’m feeling yet, let me make some work.”

Multi-Stories celebrated its third year and the goal is to turn the car park into a permanent urban art gallery by the end of 2025.

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