Spinning Images
By John Nixon

Wheelworks is a brilliant and innovative project and long may the sun shine upon it. It’s about young people and it’s about sussing out their talent and skills and helping them to discover and develop what’s unique within themselves. A quick glance at Wheelworks’ schedule will convey immediately the extent of its activities: projects, exhibitions workshops covering everything from digital and creative photography, film animation, comic book art, sound recording/radio production, 3D work, spray art, Dj-ing and E-music. And there’s more. Wheelworks Artcart is Europe’s only dedicated mobile arts resource.

Artcart heads out to various venues and communities in the north (although not confined solely to the north) to bring to young people the best hi tech facilities. The project recently co-ordinated an arts/media project with the Children and Young People’s Unit (CPYU) based in Stormont Buildings. It has helped to establish a Young Peoples Advisory Forum that acts as a sounding board to the CYPU and contributes to the development of an overarching strategy for children and young people. A promotional video on the work of the CPYU is available (see below).

MY SPACE project is a pioneering photographic exhibition created by young people from cultural minorities and can be viewed at NICEM @ Shaftsbury Square, Belfast and the Spray Artwork exhibition will go on permanent display at Stormont Castle Buildings.
My Space provides young people from six minority groups here with opportunities to creatively express themselves and their lives via a range of lens based and digital based photography, image manipulation and written text. The project has developed a number of educational resource materials which can be used in conjunction with their superb catalogue and exhibition or as a stand alone resource.

Wheelworks team comprises Gavin O Connor, Lizzie Devlin, Dara Toal, Donal McCann and Penelope Watson. Visit their website:

e-mail: wheelworkscart@hotmail.com, Web: www.wheelworks.org.uk

Phone: 028 9020 0878.

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