In 2024 We Shine Portsmouth featured ‘A Hand, Held,’ an extraordinary interactive projection project at Hilsea moat, created in collaboration with young people from Motiv-8, artist Thomas Buckley, and Portsmouth Creates. This project provided an exciting opportunity for the young people of Hilsea to learn new digital skills, connect with their community, and contribute to a large scale public art installation.

In a series of digital workshops at The Base, hosted in partnership with Motiv-8 and facilitated by Thomas Buckley, young people were supported to create digital content that featured in a large-scale projection spanning the bridge at Hilsea Moat. These sessions were designed to introduce participants to creative technology, digital artistry, and projection work, empowering them with new skills that extend beyond the festival. The young artists used the digital studio at The Base to develop unique visuals and sounds that were integrated into ‘A Hand, Held.’

As part of We Shine Portsmouth, local secondary school students from The Portsmouth Academy and The Madani Academy have participated in a series of stop-motion animation workshops led by Splodge Designs and Fratton Together. Over three sessions, students explored storytelling, set and character creation, and animation filming, all inspired by fossils. Guided by Claire and Paul from Splodge Designs, the students worked collaboratively to produce their own animations, which will be showcased at St Mary’s Church during the We Shine festival from 21st to 24th November 2024. This initiative offers students a unique opportunity to develop creative and technical skills while contributing to Portsmouth’s cultural scene.

Local artist and educator Mark Kellett worked with local children and young people in partnership with Motiv-8 to co-create an immersive installation using visual art and sculpture. The project explored and developed an existing project of Mark’s in which he explored the complexities of mental health and drew upon his own experiences, reflecting upon challenges he has faced and overcome.

Mark delivered a series of workshops that young people could attend regularly or on a drop-in basis at the Hilsea site to promote easy access and encourage participation. Here he talked about his work and experiences, encouraging young people to explore their beliefs and ideas around mental well-being and what it means to them and to spark conversations. The young people produced a series of striking visual art works and mini sculptures in response to the project, reflecting strength and resilience in the face of adversity, experimenting with the use of neon, sculpture and spray paint sessions.

Mark and the young participants co-created an installation within a large shipping container using neon artworks, 3d sculptures and UV light to immerse the visitor in an otherworldly experience.

The young people were fully invested in the outcome of this project as co-curators and the creative ideas grew in ambition as the workshops progressed, confidence grew and ideas were shared. What started as a blank shipping container culminated in an awe-inspiring, glowing collection of responses, including a giant ‘portal to happiness!’ The pride of the young people on inviting their peers and local communities to engage with the experience was evident.