Young vandals who daubed paint over a new multi-purpose creative hub for Dumfriesshire‘s Lochside are to be given lessons in “self expression art” rather than punishment.
The Art Cabin on Dunlop Road in Dumfries is a transformed portable building, in collaboration with LIFT D&G and Dumfries’ The Stove, and will be launched tomorrow (Saturday, October 26) as an inclusive and welcoming space where the community can enjoy a range of activities.
Community members spent hours sign writing the facility and were “absolutely gutted” on Friday to find their artwork had been painted over.
They appealed for those responsible to step forward and explain their actions.
Managing director of LIFT D&G, Angela Gilmour said: “We have spoken to them and they are sorry for what they have done.
“We won’t be contacting the police over this.
“Instead, we are going to turn a negative into a positive.
“We do not want these kids demonised and we are going to help them instead.
“We wouldn’t have minded them spray painting the back of the cabin if it was actually good artwork or tags but to be mindless and wreck what we have done is heartbreaking – and they now realise that.
“The cabin is here to meet creative needs in the community. These kids have said they are bored and have nothing to do and that is why they stupidly did what they did.
“They are right in that DG2 does not have any creative outlets for children and young people – until now.
“They obviously have creativity in them but, from the mess they made, it is clear that it needs to be channelled and influenced in a proper way so nothing like this happens again.
“We have artists and creatives who are going to be holding workshops in the Art Cabin and we are going to hold proper graffiti classes, which we are calling self expression art.
“Who knows, instead of scribbling paint where they shouldn’t, we could end up with a future Banksy.”
Describing it as “a place to gather and participate in a range of activities” from creative workshops, skills development and community consultations, Angela said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the public to the cabin. I can’t wait to see the positive impact this creative space will have on our community. We have a lot planned.”
During tomorrow’s launch between 12pm and 2pm, there will be arty activities, winter vegetables planting for Nana’s Garden, woodfired pizza, bicycle-powered tunes and a smoothie maker.