Kids' art gives centre a lift

HELPING HANDS: Teacher aide Karalyn McRoy with student Shannon Robinson, 16, painting a portrait of One Direction. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 280814BF6

School students are doing their part to brighten some of Rotorua's dreary shopping centres through art.

Kea St Specialist School was the first to create a mural at the Selwyn Heights Shopping Centre as part of a joint initiative involving the Rotorua Distrist Council, police, community, schools and suppliers.

Students were guided through the process by council community arts advisor Marc Spijkerbosch.

Each student was tasked with designing something special to them and Mr Spijkerbosch collated their ideas into one collage.

Mr Spijkerbosch has been doing art projects in the city for 20 years and said this mural was the first step in transforming the whole shopping centre.

"This mural is kicking off a project to revamp this shopping centre and I will be working with three other schools to cover the other walls in the coming weeks to make it look a bit more inviting and friendly."

Mr Spijkerbosch said he had a great reaction from the students who "took the reins" with the project.

"This wall was covered in tags before so we have revamped it and it is something the students can have and see forever."

Mr Spijkerbosch said working with local schools was one of the best parts of his job.

"I love to see how excited the students are about having something permanent to call their own. They are making a difference out there and it's so cool to see."

Kea St Specialist School older teens matua Ashley Stubbing said the students got excited when the mural was personalised to their own ideas.

"You can see how happy they are and it is a good chance for them to contribute and be a part of their community."

The project to revamp the Selwyn Heights Shopping Centre will be happening over the next month and will have contributions from Western Heights High School, Kaitao Intermediate, and Selwyn Primary School.