COCA COLA LONDON 2012 OLMYPIC MURALS AT STREET GAMES

>>>>>> HACKNEY BASED ARTIST TEAMS UP WITH BRITAINS TEENAGERS TO CREATE LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS INSPIRED ART PROJECT <<<<<< London artist Luke Embden has teamed up with teenagers in seven cities around the UK to create seven Olympic themed murals to be displayed at zones at Olympic venues during the London 2012 Olympic Games this summer. The murals celebrate the three universal Olympic values (Respect, Excellence, Friendship) acknowledged by the founder of the modern Olympic movement, Pierre de Coubertin, and the four Paralympic values (Courage, Determination, Inspiration and Equality). The teenagers helping to create the murals were chosen by StreetGames a charity which helps make sport more accessible to young people in disadvantaged communities. The murals are being created at neighbourhood sports festivals taking place around the UK to raise awareness of what the Olympic and Paralympic values mean to young people. Each mural includes a quote from a StreetGames teenager to show what the Olympic and Paralympic value represents to them. Coca-Cola Great Britain is rewarding the teenager from each city whose quote is used on the artwork with a pair of tickets to an Olympic or Paralympic event at London 2012. The mural project will see East London artist Luke spend the next 6 weeks touring StreetGames festivals in cities around the UK to team up with young people to create the series of murals and encourage them to leave their mark for the 2012 Games. Luke Embden said, “It’s great to travel round the UK and see the young people so enthused to bring a passion for art and sport together for this project. To many of these young people sport is the centre of their lives; it’s helped them to stay off the streets and keep out of trouble. The murals are a great way for them to show their creative side and produce a mural that will be seen on a global stage this summer.” Liz Lowe, Citizenship Manager at Coca-Cola Great Britain said; “The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are the most exciting opportunities we have as a Worldwide Partner to engage young people and help to build a legacy of increased grassroots sports participation. “We commissioned the Olympic and Paralympic Values artwork to encourage our young people to make their mark for the London 2012 Games by exploring what the Olympic and Paralympic values mean to them. “We’re greatly looking forward to seeing the final artwork from the seven cities and seeing them go on show this summer at the Games.” Jane Ashworth OBE, CEO at StreetGames said, “The StreetGames festivals are wonderful opportunities for our projects to come together and celebrate doorstep sport. The young people enjoy the competitive elements of the day, but what is also important to them is to meet their peers from similar backgrounds and to feel part of a national movement.”