POETRY has been painted across Barrow AFC's football pitch as part of a new project advocating for creativity through words.
The display, created using lineman's paint, is part of a larger project titled ‘Barrow Dreams’ by the organisation BarrowFull, where men have been working former Young Birmingham Poet Laureate Matt Windle to create the poetry.
Matt, who is also a former Commonwealth boxing champion, has been working with men in Barrow over the last few months, helping them to be creative through words.
As part of this project, they are writing short-form poetry on everyday objects including beer glasses, boxing gloves, and T-shirts.
These objects with the poetry painted onto them will be on display to the public in the Forum Theatre in Barrow from Wednesday (June 5).
READ MORE: Former Commonwealth boxing champion turns to poetry to inspire new artists
Matt said: “One of the things I am a huge advocate and supporter of is to give men a platform and feel confident. Poetry can sometimes seem arty, but I am a completely ordinary person, and I would like other ordinary men to know that the arts and culture can be for regular people. You don’t need a degree, or a GCSE to be creative”
Matt said his sessions were designed to engage 'everyday people' regardless of their creativity history.
He added: “I quickly learnt that Barrovians are rightfully proud of where they are from and this project allows them to show that off. I will be alongside the members of the group every step of the way and with over 16 years experience, I'm confident that I can help even the most reluctant writer to create pieces of work that they can be proud of.”
The project is run through workshops encouraging Barrow people to tell stories of the town’s past, present and future as part of BarrowFull’s aim to increase participation in the arts, especially among less engaged groups.
While Matt and his poets, who are aged 20-59, focus on the Present, artists Milly and Rich have started working with teenagers and older adults to imagine the Future.
Barrovian women aged 20-59 were invited to work with artist Sarah Hardacre for the Past part of the project in March.
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