A Maldon theatre company is running a free arts trail throughout August, featuring artwork from a group of young people exploring empathy and identity. 

This month, residents from Maldon and beyond are invited to enjoy 'The School of Hope' Arts Trail for free.

The School of Hope is a project run by local theatre company The Paper Birds, which aims to encourage young creatives to explore the theme of 'empathy' through art.

The local exhibition and audio guide spans from the top of Maldon High Street into Promenade Park. It includes shops, eateries and heritage sites. Residents are invited to enjoy the artworks and hear what the young creatives have to say "about their experience and their hopes for the world".

Jemma McDonnell, The Paper Birds Co-Founder and Co-Director said: "It's been a real pleasure to work with a group of young creatives from Maldon and the surrounding Essex areas. We had a range of young people who didn't know each other at the start, varying in age from Year Seven students to Six Formers, who were all so open and kind."

"They produced dozens and dozens of artworks over the five days and we also worked with a representative of the student representative from Plume Academy to help curate our hyper local Arts Trail. We are so proud of the Arts Trail because not only do you get to see the brilliant work the young artists created, but you also get to hear their voices and their thoughts and opinions about the world in which they live. This really is the crux of what The School of Hope is all about, as it gives the participants a platform to have their voice heard in the world. They get to create art that shares messages about what they want others to consider, they're able to share what they care about and connect with others at the same time, which ultimately is what empathy is all about."

The trail begins at the top of the High Street and ends in Promenade Park. (Photo: The Paper Birds)

The Arts Trail is fully accessible with no stairs or steps and is suitable for those aged 11 and over. To take part, you'll need a phone or tablet with a QR scanner, access to the internet (4G) and headphones. You must scan the QR codes that will be in business windows and on lampposts to enjoy all the artworks. 

The Paper Birds Theatre Company is based in Maldon and has been working with and for communities since 2003. Each year up to 20,000 young people around the world engage with their theatre, which uses relevant and diverse themes in order to bring about social dialogue. 

The project is funded by Essex County Council arts and Cultural Fund, which has been designed to help organisations and practitioners to deliver a broad and exciting range of work and activity to engage with and bring residents together. 

The Maldon Arts Trail ends September 1.

Edited by Ben Shahrabi.

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