Window Shopping

York's community arts team specialises in providing opportunities for people with limited access to the arts. They encouraged over 1,500 participants to get drawing, using the theme 'window shopping' as inspiration.

In addition to four Saturday workshops at shopping centres and heritage sites, six artists worked with community groups to produce painted boards on subjects including fashion, furnishings, toys, sports, cakes, sweets and junk.

The groups, whose work was mounted on 50 metres of hoardings, included children, adults with learning difficulties, homeless people and older people in sheltered accommodation.

This first exhibition at Hungate Outdoor Art Gallery was launched by the Lord Mayor. It won substantial press and public interest and has a souvenir catalogue.

A new partnership with commercial developers has given the community a very visible exhibition space for the next five years.

In a complimentary programme, 21 schools introduced drawing to their live arts week projects, combining visual art with music, dance and drama.