Our Words, Our Walls

Our Words, Our Walls (OWOW) is a collaborative arts project bringing poetry, visual art and youth voice into public space across North Solihull.

The project works with young people aged 11–25 through a series of creative workshops delivered in partnership with local artists, poets and trusted youth organisations. Together, participants will create five murals across local youth venues, alongside a printed and audio zine that captures their writing, ideas and artwork.

OWOW was developed in response to the barriers many young people face in accessing arts and cultural opportunities. North Solihull is rich in creativity, community and potential, but opportunities for young people to see themselves reflected in local cultural life can often be limited.

By embedding the project in familiar, welcoming youth spaces, OWOW creates accessible ways for young people to take part, build confidence, develop creative skills and shape the environments around them. The result is a project that is both personal and public — creating lasting cultural landmarks while also celebrating individual voice, imagination and achievement.

At its core, OWOW is about creative ownership, connection to place, and making sure young people’s words are seen as well as heard.

Funded by Arts Council England and Solihull Arts Society, and supported by Culture Solihull and Writing West Midlands.

This project marks Katies first successful funding application to Arts Council England