A GRAFFITI artist is the latest addition to the Henley Youth Festival line-up.

Snik will begin the art-related activities with a workshop at Henley Youth Centre on March 3 and 4 where up to 40 11- to 18-year-olds will be able to create their own pieces on canvas.

Their work will then be displayed at the festival’s art exhibition from March 17.

Charlotte Purchase, co-ordinator for art, said: “We have so much going on this year we’ve had to start activities before the festival itself.

“Art comes in many forms and we are really pleased to bring Snik to Henley.”


To book a place, call Jane Gray on 07913 184548.

Activities for the festival’s Commotion in the Square event on March 17 have also been finalised.

Young people will be able to help create an interactive kinetic sculpture in Falaise Square and attend an art workshop in King’s Arms Barn with artist Camilla Shelley.

Artist Peter Rush will be in the square accompanied by a giant praying mantis puppet.

At the d:two centre, the Crazy Comic Club will run 90-minute cartoon comic strip workshops for under-15s with best-selling cartoonist James Parsons. He said: “Sessions can be about almost anything. We could explore drawing and storytelling techniques, design, dynamism, character development, the history of comics and more — all the ingredients required to build an effective graphic story.”

The arts programme is sponsored by the Henley branch of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts.

Ms Purchas said: “We are very grateful. They are really demonstrating their commitment to young people’s art and we hope to involve hundreds of children and young people, some of whom perhaps don’t normally have access to art materials outside school.

“Commotion in the Square is going to have a real festival atmosphere as so much will be going on and people can turn up on the day and take part. It’s going to be fantastic.”

Non-art activities include a bike stunt display by members of the Henley skatepark group, a rowathon at the town hall and a screening of the film competition entries at the Regal cinema.

The festival, which has a theme of motion, runs from May 16 to 24. For more information, visit www.hyf.org.uk

Published 27/02/12