We set up a creative hub at Smethwick Library where young people could drop in between 12 PM and 4 PM to share what life is really like in Smethwick and highlights of their local high street. The afternoon was packed with hands-on activities, including:
- Exploring with Film & Tech: Young people hit the high streets with instant Polaroid cameras or used smartphone printers to bring photos from their own camera rolls to life.
- Creative Curation: Using a mix of collaging materials, pens, and frames, the group annotated and decorated the photos. They got stuck onto the structure of the gallery itself; hanging images with yarn and pegs, building cardboard stands, and writing “letters to Smethwick.”
- Detached Street Outreach: We knew not everyone would want to step inside the library, so our team took the project directly to the high street. Armed with clipboards and prompt pictures, we chatted with local young people to gather quotes, memories, and thoughts about the area, embedding their honest reflections directly into the evolving gallery.
Together, we successfully pieced together a vibrant, authentic visual map of daily life in Smethwick. It was a fantastic showcase of local talent, giving young people a platform to highlight the spots that interest them, the places they find relaxing, and their visions for the community.
Urban Room Report – Our contribution was part of a bigger project for Smethwick please use this link Find out more here
