Chicago’s Gallery 37 hits Red Road

 On the 23^rd floor of number 10 Red Road something cool is going down.

Impacts Arts, with support from partner agencies including Glasgow Housing Association – who have lent them the flat – are running Gallery 37, a youth project which began in 1991 in Chicago.

Now in its third year in Scotland, but this the first time in Red Road, Gallery 37′s aim is to develop and bring out creative skills in young people.

The large flat near the top of the skyscraper is hotbed of creativity with wall-to-wall murals, creative writing, paintings and sculpture in every room, and beyond.

The project closes -as we go to print – with a show at The Arches on Saturday 8^th August.

Gallery 37 in Red Road success is a fitting tribute to the new communities integration in Glasgow.

Arts Assistant Laura McKechnie, 29, has a natural charm which resonates with the young people she helps.

Laura explained: ‘I think we have learned as much as the young people themselves. It’s been amazing being with kids from all the different cultures and backgrounds.’

Ibrahim Dikko, 13, lives in The Sighthill High flats, he moved to Scotland from Nigeria four years ago.

Talented Ibrahim is a dancer, a story teller, an artist and has the confidence to tell us all about Gallery 37 at Red Road.

He said: “It’s been great coming here meeting all the guys and getting a chance to do new activities like drama and making sculptures.

‘I would definitely come back again next year, I really like Laura and all the tutors.’

Most of the youngsters live in the neighbouring blocks at Red Road, Ibrahim has been making the journey from Sighthill every day for the past six weeks to take part in the project.

And while there is no doubt the gangland street law prevents many youths from moving area to area, this isn’t a big worry to Ibrahim.

He said: ‘The best thing to do is ignore them, make no eye contact and just carry on. They won’t stop me coming here.’