Waltham Forest College has transformed its front entrance steps in a project celebrating design and creativity in Walthamstow.

The William Morris Design Line, a community-focused design route through the streets of Walthamstow, uses street art as a social fabric connecting areas and creative organisations.

Fashion students from the college collaborated with professional artist and designer Fandangoe Kid on the project.

Their design aims to explore themes of unity, change and design as a form of activism. They explored the language, statements and typographic design ideas around positive change and the future through Zoom workshops during lockdown.

Kid said: “I can't remember a time when engaging in politics felt more important. The piece is about gathering young people's voices, speaking out and pushing change forward. Every young person I have worked with to develop the narrative for this piece has said that there is no longer a place for apathy when it comes to politics, we have to push change forward together now and 2020 has been exemplary of this – things are urgent; we can't afford to stay silent, any of us.”

The 'design line' weaves through the main roads of Wood Street, Forest Road and up to Blackhorse Road.

The project is inspired by 19th century British textile designer William Morris’s statement ‘art made by the people and for the people’.

College principal, Janet Gardner said: “I am delighted that students from Waltham Forest College have been able to take part in this exciting project, working with leading artist Fandangoe Kid, the production team and key community partners. We greatly value the voice of our young people and are proud that they have created an uplifting and powerful, large scale art installation called ‘Stairwell of Dreams’ on the iconic college steps”.

Leader of Waltham Forest Council Cllr Claire Coghill added: Claire said: “Being the first London Borough of Culture last year really allowed the creative community of Waltham Forest to come together and showcase its incredible talent and this project involving Waltham Forest College students and the local community is a clear reminder that culture is still at the heart of the borough.”

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