I spent the weekend down at the Torquay seafront, with the Graffiti Workshop team and some arts development officers from Torbay Council. I'd been asked to come down and document a graffiti workshop that was being run with local young people, and the images below show some of the magic of the day.
However, as the Monday rolled round, and the project garnered the usual community outrage that seems to follow any participatory arts work in the area, I find myself feeling frustrated and a little bit defeated by the resistance such a wholly good-and-healthy event can raise.
I suppose that's part of the aim of public art - this unique and tasty blend of participation and dialogue, which shakes up a community in all kinds of ways.
Just having been down at the Palm Court Hotel for those two days, and watching the professionals lead the sessions, I can say unequivocably that these kinds of projects are essential.
As Mischa Eligoloff eloquently put it, 'It's our young people claiming back the site.' May there be more of it.
