Over the October half term, YMCA Taunton was buzzing with creativity as a group of young people came together to design and paint a bold new mural on the external wall of our new climbing hall. The project was delivered in collaboration with Sam and Steve from Aerosol Art, a Taunton-based street art company well known for their colourful spray-painted designs that can be spotted across the town – from shopfronts and bridges to public spaces.
We wanted to celebrate Taunton’s amazing art scene and give local young people the chance to try something new, creative and exciting. Our goal was to offer an opportunity that built confidence, inspired teamwork and showcased the talents of young people in our community – and the result was even more powerful than we expected.
Getting Started: Inspiration and Ideas
The project began with an Inspire Session a week before half term, where young people and their families came to meet Sam and hear about what the workshops would involve. This informal evening helped everyone feel comfortable and excited about the upcoming sessions, and allowed young people to decide if this was the right project for them.
Sam encouraged everyone who joined to commit to all three days, so they could see the full process through – from concept to completion. This approach worked brilliantly, and it was clear from day one that the group were motivated, thoughtful and full of creative ideas.
From Sketches to Spray Cans
The first day was spent indoors, with pencils, sketchpads and plenty of imagination. Young people worked together to develop a theme, experiment with lettering and characters, and sketch out ideas that would later take shape on the climbing hall wall.
By the second and third days, the group moved outdoors, spray cans in hand, to bring their design to life. With expert guidance from Sam and Steve, they learned the techniques behind aerosol art – how to layer colour, control the flow of paint and blend shades to create texture and depth.
Inside, other activities such as pool, table football and board games gave everyone a chance to relax, warm up and spend time together between painting sessions. It was a lovely balance of learning, teamwork and fun.
A Safe and Supportive Space
The workshops welcomed a mix of young people aged 11–16, from different schools, locations and backgrounds.
Watching the group’s confidence grow was inspiring. New friendships formed quickly, and it was wonderful to see young people who had never met before excited to see each other again each morning. Some even arranged to meet up for social activities afterwards – a clear sign that the project had created a lasting sense of connection.
Art that Sparks Conversation
Beyond the painting itself, the workshops also sparked thoughtful discussions about what art means to people. The young artists explored how different colours can evoke emotions – for example, red for anger or energy, blue for calm – and how art can express feelings or memories that are hard to put into words.
There were even conversations about nature and ecosystems, and how these could be represented through art. The project became much more than just painting a wall – it became a safe space for reflection, self-expression and growth.
Building Confidence for the Future
During the week, YMCA Taunton CEO Clare Langley took the group on a tour of our new building and the artwork already on display. This led to exciting conversations about future creative projects, and one young person even expressed interest in helping to lead a session themselves one day.
“This project has been a wonderful way to connect young people through creativity. The partnership with Aerosol Art not only transformed a blank wall into something vibrant and meaningful, but also gave every participant a real sense of achievement and belonging. Seeing their confidence grow and their ideas take shape was incredibly inspiring – this is exactly what YMCA Taunton is all about.”
Clare Langle, CEO
Looking Ahead
The street art project has strengthened our connection with Taunton’s creative community and helped us reach new young people and families. Some travelled more than 20 miles to take part, with one parent telling us the sessions were “worth the trip” and that they would happily travel again for similar opportunities.
We’re already planning future collaborations with Aerosol Art, exploring more ways to use creativity as a tool for connection, self-expression and community pride.
Every young person who took part can proudly say they helped create a lasting piece of art that will soon welcome visitors to our climbing hall – a bold and colourful reminder of what can happen when creativity and community come together.
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