A RENOWNED Dobcross artist raised £3,000 for Mahdlo Youth Zone after teaming up with the organisation to create and auction a unique painting of Oldham.
Kevin Haynes was invited along to the centre on Egerton Street by chairman Terry Flanagan and was keen to get involved with an art project with the young people.
Last November, he began work on a painting entitled ‘Then and Now’ which combines the factories and buildings of Oldham’s past along with new sites including Mahdlo.
He spent every Thursday evening until March visiting the junior group of around 20 keen artists to show them his progress on the brightly coloured painting.
He even inspired them to create their own artwork depicting Mahdlo, which celebrates its third birthday this March, and it will be displayed at the centre bearing all their names.
Kevin, who exhibits his work in top galleries across Manchester, said: “I am used to painting things from my childhood in Waterhead so it was a bit of a challenge but I enjoyed it.
“I am deeply inspired by the work being done here at Mahdlo and I hadn’t known it was going on.
“It was really heart-warming to work with the young people and show them how the painting came to be from the concept to the finished work.”
Both pieces were on display to friends, partners and patrons of the youth zone at a special event along with photographs of the borough taken by the Get A Job team.
Terry interviewed former engineer Kevin about his art before the piece was unveiled and auctioned off to Mahdlo supporter Anthony Preston for £3,000 in aid of the centre.
The painting comes hand-in-hand with a signed extract from Sheila Hancock’s book ‘Miss Carter’s Way’, in which she describes vivid scenes around Oldham.
Anthony commented: “Kevin’s got a really lovely style and it’s a great painting that captures Oldham very well. And it’s great all the money will go to helping Mahdlo.”
Terry added: “It is great when the town backs us and what we’re doing and the funds will help Mahdlo do wonderful things.”
Signed limited edition prints of Kevin’s work were on sale to raise further funds for the youth zone.
And the artist was presented with a painting done by the junior group as a thank you for working with them.
Young leader Sam Bailey said: “It has been a really good project for the young people and they have loved it. We’re so grateful to Kevin for working with us.”
Mahdlo offers activities and groups for children and young people aged 8-21 years old. Find them on Egerton Street, Oldham, or visit their website.
You must be logged in to post a comment.