News

TRAIN OPERATOR GIVES YOUNGSTERS OPP-ART-UNITY IN GROUNDBREAKING SAFETY INITIATIVE

5th July 2007

Today sees the UK’s largest train operator, Northern and internationally renowned artist Ashley Jackson launch NorthernArt, a major new initiative to reduce graffiti on trains and railway property.

NorthernArt is a web-based network-wide initiative that encourages youngsters to enter their artwork onto www.northernartzone.net for the chance to win a range of fabulous prizes including a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend a day on location with Ashley Jackson.

Ashley Jackson said: "I am proud to be an ambassador for NorthernArt, there is a wealth of creative talent amongst young people that can all too often go overlooked.

"NorthernArt will encourage younger generations to develop their skills through the various forms of 2D art, rather than limiting their opportunities for creative expression to graffiti on a wall or side of a train. An online gallery will allow young people to see their talent being recognised and rewarded with the potential for their work to be seen by tens of thousands of people."

Later this year, Ashley Jackson will chair a panel of expert judges, including artists and art critics who will judge the entries to find the best pieces of work from across the Northern network. These will then be shown at seven special viewing evenings across the network, complete with VIP guest list. At the end of each evening, the judges will decide on the winning entry from each age group (9-12 and 13-17) and these will then go through to the grand final in November of this year. The overall winner of each age group will scoop the top prize of G4 Mac Power Book to help them fine tune their art skills even further.


Northern will use artwork on posters, ticket wallets and a calendar. The winning artwork, along with a selection of other entries will also be applied to a Northern train, which will be seen across the North of England.

Heidi Mottram, Managing Director, of Northern said: “We are delighted to be at the forefront of this exciting initiative that will give young people the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents to a wide audience.

“Graffiti has a major impact on our services and our operation but more importantly attempting to produce graffiti on or near to the railway can put youngsters in real danger. NorthernArt will be a powerful addition to our ongoing programme of work within schools and local communities to discourage young people from crime and anti-social behaviour on the railways.

“By promoting such diversionary tactics we hope to persuade young people that there are far more fun and productive ways to spend their time than trespassing on the railways, putting themselves at serious risk.

“We hope that NorthernArt will help give young artists the public recognition and further opportunities they deserve, while promoting the vital message that railway tracks are extremely dangerous places.”