Young artists help curb anti-social behaviour at Calais Muir Woods

The latest chapter of Inkredible Creative has seen signs designed by a group of young talented artists put up around the woods, which discourage dog fouling, vandalism, littering and fireraising.

It's all part of a joint initiative between Dunfermline community policing team and Fife Council's community learning and development team.

After being mentored by local tattoo artists and exhibiting at the Fire Station Creative, the group of youths became part-time students at Fife Council and have undertaken further training to master their talents.

Their latest brief was set by Fife Coast and Countryside Trust. Woodland Ranger Lyn Strachan said: "Working with Inkredible to address vandalism in Calais Muir Woodland has been very rewarding, allowing us to work closely with the local community, local businesses and Police Scotland.

“The posters have been designed by a young team of trainees and provide a clear modern message that’s colourful and extremely professional, the design team should be very proud of the work they have undertaken. We are delighted with the results.”

The signs have been printed onto A3 mental panels and put up around the woodland and consideration is being given to installing them in other locations across Fife.

Calais Muir has been a hotbed for anti-social behaviour this year. The Press previously reported that crowds of drunken youths had gone on the rampage at woods last Christmas causing havoc for neighbours.

The teenage artists at Inkredible though have hugely benefitted from their experience.

Group member Kai Colston said: "This project was essential to my future and progression into a career I love. It allowed me to work with professional artists who taught me valuable skills and teamwork, completing projects and giving me the confidence to express my creativity. It also helped me create a portfolio of work that enabled me to secure a place on Fife College’s Graphic Design and Digital Media Course.

"Alongside college I have already delivered a number of freelance graphic design projects. It is difficult to put into words how much these projects and the people involved have helped me develop my potential."

Fellow artist Sophie Smart added that her experience with the Inkredible projects was nothing but positive.

"I met so many new people, who I now speak to on a weekly basis. The project gave me more confidence in myself and opened up so many more opportunities, some things I thought I'd never be able to do," she said.

PC Stewart Paton of Dunfermline Police Community Team said: "The success of our first outing at the Fire Station Creative in January has certainly opened new avenues for our young artists, offering them the chance to work on a live design brief to tackle real community issues.

"We are extremely proud of their achievements, they have all excelled in producing professional designs and the embraced all aspects of this new learning experience. We are in no doubt that their Inkredible Creative experience has raised their confidence and given each young artist more focus on what they want to explore creatively in the future."