Masterton youth revel in new skills

Masterton youth who took part in the first stage of the Mai Street Youth Project 2012 spent Monday designing and creating T-shirts inspired by Waitangi Day.

This was the first day of the week-long programme that comprises two days of art design, a one-day music workshop, a day of hip hop with Wellington dance crew UFO and an afternoon of sports - all aimed at 15 to 20-year-olds.

Masterton District Council eastside co-ordinator Deborah Davidson said the small group was well behaved, and had a great lunch provided by Wairarapa Primary Health Organisation and Breadcraft.

"Some of the best designs will be printed on T-shirts to be sold at the Waitangi Day festival," she said.

Most of the participants were from Masterton's eastside.

Karauria Hamilton, 16, was one of the youth organisers of the events and plans to video record the coming days.

He said he thoroughly enjoyed the day, and would be back for the rest of the week.

"I mostly came along today because I like arts," he said.

Tori Johnson, 15, said she was just "scribbling" when she came up with her design for her Waitangi Day T-shirt with the words "one love".

King St Artworks staff member and artist Jenny Katene-Morgan gave up her time to tutor the youth in the art of screen printing.

"They've learned to design their own things and that's basically a skill in itself," she said. "For them to achieve that and figure it out so tomorrow they can do more is amazing."

She said the day was based around the Waitangi Day kaupapa, but the teens also came up with other designs.

She volunteered to help with the programme to help youth learn new skills.

The programme costs $3 a day, and is being held in the Makoura College hall. Register by texting 021 110 4488 or email mai.streetyp@gmail.com.