Dakabin State High School students have shared their ideas to inspire the design of artwork that will be showcased in the Dakabin Youth Hub. The Youth Art Project, led by artist Simon Degroot, in partnership with Children’s Health Queensland’s Arts in Health Program, provided students with an opportunity to co-design a bespoke mural for the Hub.
Children’s Health Queensland, in collaboration with the Department of Education, is delivering a purpose-built youth hub at Dakabin State High School to empower students to reach their full potential.
The Youth Hub will deliver a range of social, educational and health services in a welcoming and engaging space for students, with students actively involved in shaping the architectural designs and sharing their ideas and hopes for what the facility could offer.
Facilitating the art workshop was a rewarding experience for Simon, who is an artist and educator, and has worked with students from different communities and cultural backgrounds for 15 years.
“Conducting an artist workshop is a valuable way to connect with young people. This connection is important because it helps create unique outcomes that are initiated by students and co-designed by artists to create meaningful artworks,” he said.
“Sessions like this are vital because they help the young people have real ownership of the Youth Hub. Students worked on responses to prompts and developed a range of raw material that will be incorporated in a final design, representing a cross-section of the school community and leaving a legacy for future generations.
“Being involved in a workshop like this is important to me as an artist and educator because I’ve invested in different ways that students can use their creativity to contribute to their communities. Completing artwork like this mural is a powerful way to contribute to a sense of place, which is so valuable in terms of their learning.”
Dakabin State High School student Lillia Gale is pleased to leave her mark on the Hub.
“I think the Youth Hub will provide a safe and inclusive space for students to go to outside of school, which can be reflected in the art,” she said.
“I chose to be involved in the art workshop because it's important to me that the art that's going into the Hub is relevant to my age group. It gives young people the opportunity to have a say on what they want in the space.
“The workshop was a good experience for me to connect with the other students that are involved in the art creation.”
Children’s Health Queensland’s Arts in Health Program Manager, Bonnie Melrose, said incorporating the arts in healthcare is important for fostering emotional wellbeing, connection, and creativity and ensuring the young people feel safe, welcome, and represented.
“Art brings to life the narratives of our experiences, it inspires us and helps us to connect to our environment, each other, and what we know will help our health and wellbeing,” she said.
“Through the creative arts workshop, students worked together to explore new ideas and learn artwork techniques to develop artwork that will inspire meaningful conversation and create visual appeal and cohesion.
“We hope the students’ involvement in creating the artwork empowers all young people visiting the Hub to engage in ongoing dialogue about health and wellbeing, reflecting the transformative power of art.”
In addition to the mural, the Hub will feature artworks by young and emerging artists with a connection to Moreton Bay. Dakabin State High School students provided input and advice on the selection of artworks.
It will also feature First Nations commissioned artwork by Jennifer Kent (Quandamooka/Nunugal, Jinibara/Kabi heritage), which will welcome students at the entrance of the Hub to enhance cultural safety.
The Dakabin Youth Hub is due to open in early 2025.