A Fife youth art project has designs on curbing woodland crime.
The latest project by Inkredible Creative has seen signs designed by a group of young people erected around Calais Muir woodland in Dunfermline.
The young artists have put their talents towards battling four types of anti-social behaviour – dog fouling, vandalism, littering and fireraising.
It’s all part of a joint initiative between Dunfermline community policing team and Fife Council’s community learning and development team.
After being mentored by tattoo artists and exhibiting at the Fire Station Creative, the group of teenagers became part-time students at Fife College.
They have already used their artwork to transform a town centre eyesore.
Their latest brief was set by Fife Coast and Countryside Trust’s woodland ranger Lyn Strachan.
“The posters have been designed by a young team of trainees and provide a clear modern message that’s colourful and extremely professional, the design team should be very proud of the work they have undertaken.
“We are delighted with the results,” she said.
The signs have been printed on to metal panels put up around the woodland, and consideration is being given to installing them in other locations across Fife.
Mentor Donna Revie said the youngsters had displayed an outstanding level of commitment and determination in developing their skills, ideas and self-confidence.
“They are a credit to themselves, their families and the community as a whole.”
Group member Kai Colston said the project was essential to his future and progression into a career he loved, helping him create a portfolio to secure a college placement.
Fellow artist Sophie Smart added: “My experience with the Inkredible projects were nothing but positive.
“The project gave me more confidence in myself and opened up so many more opportunities, some things I thought I’d never be able to do.
“Inkredible has helped me branch into my dream profession of being a tattoo artist and I’m now doing work experience with Blue Box Custom Tattoo based in Dunfermline.”
PC Stewart Paton of Dunfermline police community team added:”The success of our first outing at the Fire Station Creative in January has certainly opened new avenues for our young artists, offering them the chance to work on a live design brief to tackle real community issues.
“It’s fantastic to see them make the transition through the graphic design programme.
“They have been challenged to learn industry standard software under tight time constraints, whilst working together to develop high quality designs for a real client.”