Vancouver Public Library

Wall Time: Teens Make their Mark

It’s teens talking to teens!

Wall Time is inspired by graffiti art and invites youth to respond to a written or visual prompt with images and graffiti on a large canvas wall displayed inside the Library. Teens are encouraged to respond to each other’s art as well as to the prompt to create a thoughtful visual discussion in the community.

The community art project was conceived by a long-standing member of the Library’s Teen Advisory Group (TAG), 17-year-old Tucker Morrent. Tucker, an avid photographer who explores visual forms of communication, played a leadership role in creating and developing the project, working closely with Teen Services librarians to bring the program to life.

“We’re always looking for ways to get teens involved with the Library and art and graffiti seemed like a good thing to try,” said Tucker. “It’s great for kids to have a place in the Library to share their feelings and create something special that reflects their reality and their neighbourhood.”

Wall Time launched at the Library’s Fraserview Branch last December where teens responded to the prompt Your vision of the world. The project’s success inspired TAG members and Teen Services librarians to plan a second installation at the new Terry Salman Branch from January 23 to February 10 where the prompt will be: The hopes of old.

This creative work, alongside the entries from the 2011 Express Yourself Teen Bookmark Contest, will be on public display in March at the Central Library’s lower level Moat Gallery.

“Wall Time is a wonderful example of the great things that can happen when the Library teams up with teens to create programs for young adults,” said Sasha Schertzer, Acting Teen Services Assistant Manager. “The project has been immensely successful and we are really looking forward to seeing what the talented teens at the Terry Salman Branch produce.”

For more information about Wall Time or the Teen Advisory Group, please contact Teen Services at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 604-331-3690.