#humancities

Studio 3 Arts are bringing colour to communities 

Studio 3 Arts operate on the belief that everyone has the right to encounter art. Their goal is to engage people in dialogue about social issues, and they champion this through a variety of art-based initiatives; many of which, act as a gateway for marginalised or hidden voices to be heard.

Relevant, resonant and accessible to people of all ages and cultures, these initiatives are truly wide-reaching. This is partly due to the fact that Studio 3 Arts choose to undergo work in places where people gather: empty shops, cafes, bus stops, hostels, pubs, GP surgeries, on streets – as well as more traditional arts venues.

Open Estate at the Gascoigne Estate in Barking, East London, is one of many projects managed by them. It involves artists, heritage professionals, local community groups and residents coming together to celebrate the rich history belonging to the estate.

We interviewed a selection of key people to find out more about the programme and, in particular, why it has been so well received. They were: Rosie Ross, Head of Projects (Studio 3 Arts), Lisa Vallance, the company’s Artistic Director, David Harley, Head of Regeneration (London Borough of Barking and Dagenham), as well as residents of the Gascoigne Estate.

Speaking about how the project kicked off, Artistic Director of Studio 3 Arts, Lisa Vallance, told us about the steering group of local people they brought together to help shape a vision for the regeneration of the Gascoigne Estate. She highlighted the importance of public art, social space and, in particular, colour to achieve this vision.

Head of Projects, Rosie Ross, also stressed the importance of colour in people’s day-to-day lives, but also emphasised how they work with people on the estate. Local resident, and artist, John Akinde, agreed with their approach: “I really feel like what’s intrinsic to Studio 3 Arts is the idea of giving power to the residents – the ordinary, everyday people. A project like Weaving the Gascoigne allows many people to understand this power and explore this power further.”

David Harley, Head of Regeneration for the local council, praised Studio 3 Arts and their approach: “Organisations like Studio 3 Arts are essential in really achieving proper regeneration, and not gentrification,” he shared.

The Gascoigne Estate will be rebuilt over the next decade, with the redevelopment vision being shaped by Studio 3 Arts and the community.

Find out more about Studio 3 Arts at http://www.studio3arts.org.uk/

In today’s world, rapid urbanisation makes change inevitable for everyone. Cities, villages and towns are growing, and it’s my passion to see how we can ensure these environments stay fruitful, and inspiring. We’re always asking ourselves the same question: what can we do to help preserve the sense of identity, connectedness and happiness belonging to communities undergoing changes? 

My name is Julia Huss and I manage the Human Cities program at AkzoNobel, to help cities and their habitants respond to the challenges they face. From creating more liveable and green neighbourhoods, to preserving architecture in Malaysia’s third biggest city, Malacca and helping to restore the magnificence of a historic building in Italy, I’m proud to say that our work is global, and diverse. I’m passionate about what we’ve accomplished and the work that is still to be done.

I was recently asked to answer a few questions about what it’s like to coordinate the projects that we’ve been involved in. I believe it’s my role to share why working together, and especially working with colour, can have long lasting effects on communities:  

What appeals to you most about the Human Cities projects?

Human Cities says it all – it’s about the people in cities. What makes them feel at home, proud, happy, energised? There are a lot of good projects and programs out there that help cities meet various challenges in times of rapid urbanisation, but most of them don't put the people at the forefront. Human Cities is exactly about that. We think about what people want, need and feel, and we work with them to make sure positive changes happen.

The Human Cites program is vast but is there a part of the project that you have worked on or any part you’re proud of?

The passion that our people have to help others. Human Cities is deeply rooted in our company and I feel very proud to see so many colleagues being engaged in society through our Human Cities initiative. From smaller projects like renovating an orphanage, to 5-year projects in slums, you can always feel the passion of our people to create positive change in the world. I love that. It gives the whole company a lot of energy and drive.

In your view, what role does colour play in helping to transform an area?

I believe that colour plays a crucial role in the life of people. It’s a bit like music - it can make you happy and sad; it influences your emotions. A more colourful living environment and neighbourhood can definitely help uplift a community. But it’s not just about the colour, it’s also the act of painting together. Where possible, we involve the community and our employees in the painting process. This is where the real magic happens and connections between people are made. Social cohesion and the feeling of togetherness is a hugely important when cities turn into megacities and hundreds of different cultures are coming together in one place.

In the places where the projects have taken place, what are the benefits?

Let me give you an example: The Let’s Colour project in the Santa Marta favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The program has mostly impacted people’s sense of optimism and well-being. After painting the houses together, more than 80 percent of the people appreciated their property better, and 85 percent felt more motivated to make new improvements to their homes. About 70 percent said it improved their self-esteem, while more than 60 percent felt it has encouraged fellow residents to take more actions to improve the community as a whole. Also, more than 90 percent said the painting helped to attract more tourists, which means an economic benefit for the whole community.

Is there a place in the world where you would like to see the Human cities program help next?

What it’s like to be a part of the Human Cities projects?

It’s a universal challenge and one that needs to be addressed - “how do we keep our cities “human”? As neighbourhoods, villages and towns grow and develop, how do we preserve our sense of home, identity and happiness?

At AkzoNobel, we created the Human Cities project as our commitment to improving, energising and regenerating urban communities. We’ve joined forces with organisations such as 100 Resilient Cities, the Cruyff Foundation and Monocle’s Quality of Life Index to bring about positive change across the globe. Our projects have been diverse - we’ve helped to revitalise favelas in Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, helped restore historical landmarks, and we’ve helped to create jobs for young people in the UK.

I’m Marianne Shillingford and as the Creative Director at Dulux, I was asked to describe what it’s like to work firsthand on the projects. The opportunity also gave me the chance to stress why you should never, ever, underestimate the importance of colour…

What appeals to you most about the Human Cities projects?

The human bit!  I live in the heart of London, a human hive of tightly packed, crazily busy, fast-paced multicultural inhabitants.  The Human Cities initiative connects us together in a subtle but powerful way, it draws our attention towards things we often overlook or take for granted and slows us down long enough to consider and appreciate how small changes can have positive lasting impact in our lives. The projects also recognise and celebrate human achievements in the present as well as the past. This in turn cements a richer identity and confidence within the communities they affect.  

The Human Cites program is vast. Which parts have you worked on and which are you proud of?

One of the great pleasures on my role at AkzoNobel is adding colour to people’s lives on a very practical level. Because I’m pretty handy with a paint brush (and in particular mural work), I’ve been practically involved in many projects working with the teams here in the UK. There are two that particularly stand out:

The first is being part of the new AkzoNobel Training Academy where we have delivered training courses in everything from decorating and colour scheming skills to business development and communication to over 1000 people since its launch. That number included hundreds of young people who are just beginning their career journeys and it’s been a great privilege to give them skills which they will use to improve people’s lives with our colours and products for the rest of their professional lives.

The second is a project to decorate ‘Fitzroy Lodge’, a famous Boxing Club in the heart of the East End of London.  Founded by a philanthropist surgeon after the first World War to provide healthy activity, discipline and companionship for disadvantaged children of the area, the club soon became one of the most famous and well respected hubs of the community, turning lives around and breeding world champions.  In recent years (totally reliant on charity and without financial help from local authorities) it was extremely run down and became the focus of a rejuvenation project by one of the Dulux teams.  Over a very long and tiring week, we worked with the members, managers and volunteers to transform the building to its former glory.  If anyone when has an ounce of cynicism about the power of colour and paint to connect people together in a common goal that leads to mutual respect and in turn lasting friendship, I invite them to drop in and take a look for themselves.

In your view, what role does colour play in helping to transform or regenerate an area?

Colour is the most powerful form of non-verbal communication and it is fundamental to the transformation of everything it touches. It creates visual reference points that are widely understood and is one of the easiest ways to draw attention, stimulate conversation and connect people together. With technological advances in lighting, materials and surface coatings, especially cement and paint, it is no longer necessary for us to live in cities that immerse us in grey in all its forms. The urban landscape is enhanced with colour- buildings can be illuminated in a more sustainable way with low energy LED light technology; concrete, brick and ceramic is available in a rainbow of colours, and paint can withstand the elements in an unprecedented way.  We have to ditch old habits in architecture and design by embracing colour as a fundamental element of a building rather than the decorative afterthought. Only in this way will we begin to create a truly new and uplifting visual language in urban development for future generations.

In the places where the projects have taken place, what do you believe are the short-term benefits? Thinking further ahead, what do you think the long-term benefits might be?

The short-term benefit is in the activity and energy provoked by positive change. The long-term effect is that it gives us the confidence to make those changes again and again.

Is there a place in the world where you would like to see the Human cities program help next?

I might have to say Hull in the UK.  Despite being City of Culture for 2017 and having a rich and enviable seafaring heritage, Hull could still be at risk of remaining one of the unpolished diamonds of the UK. It would be great to be able to support Hull beyond this important year and help to breathe life back into this once thriving and historically important estuary port.