We are excited to announce an important new initiative from The James Brindley Foundation – ‘Project Ray of Hope’. This project comes on the heels of the successful and impactful visit of the Knife Angel to Walsall in December 2023, which left a lasting impression on our community.
In partnership with Walsall Council, the Foundation is set to take significant steps forward, launching a captivating piece of public art that will find its home in Walsall town centre. This semi-permanent installation not only aims to beautify our streets, but it also has a crucial mission – to raise awareness and create community engagement around the pressing issues of serious youth violence.
Mark Brindley, Trustee said:
This initiative has grown from the overwhelmingly positive response to the Knife Angel’s visit to Walsall in December 2023. We believe that Walsall deserves its own piece of public art, created by the community, especially by young people. As a charity, we are excited to engage with and appreciate the perspectives of youth in this creative process.
The artwork will be designed, built, and completed right here in Walsall, collaborating closely with the renowned monument sculptor, Luke Perry. We envision this piece as a thought-provoking representation of the impact of youth violence, and although it will be anchored in our town centre, it is also designed to be ‘tourable’ – sharing its meaningful message beyond the borders of Walsall.
Luke said:
I hope that, like all great art, this piece will be seen as iconic within the community and will convey a significant message. I’m genuinely excited to collaborate with everyone on this project. Obviously it’s a lot of responsibility because of what it’s about, but that’s a wonderful thing to be a part of.
At the heart of ‘Project Ray of Hope’ is an emphasis on local engagement, particularly with the youth. We believe in the creative potential of our young people, and this initiative will provide them with a platform to showcase their talent. By inviting their insights and perspectives, we aim to create discussions about knife crime and antisocial behaviour to explore innovative solutions that empower our community.
The entire project, from engaging with young people to developing ideas and conducting design workshops, will contribute to this piece of public art that we hope to complete in approximately 12 months.
Mark added.
This artwork will serve as a memorial to those whose lives have been tragically lost to knife crime in Walsall. Yet, it will also stand as a beacon of hope – a symbol that change is possible. We firmly believe that youth violence is not an inevitable fate for our communities; rather, it is predictable and preventable, as illustrated by our James Brindley ‘Full Circle’ Programme.
Together, we aspire to create a society where no one has to live in fear of youth violence. Stay tuned for more updates on ‘Project Ray of Hope’ and how you can get involved!
