Talented youngsters have been using their artistic flair to give new life to an old piano.


Skye Wilson, Niomi Flanagan and Pavla Havrilova, from the Paisley-based Kibble education and care centre, have spent six weeks designing and decorating the rundown instrument to prepare it for display as part of Festival 2018, in Glasgow.


Festival 2018, which takes place this month, is the cultural programme linked to the 2018 European Championships, with host city Glasgow welcoming spectators and athletes from across the continent.


The piano will be displayed in the Merchant City, where members of the public can play a tune and admire the design.


Staff at Kibble, which provides specialist services for children and young people affected by adversity or trauma, have been hugely impressed by the end result.


Sarah Falconer, social enterprise co-ordinator at Kibble Group, said: “Skye, Niomi and Pavla are thrilled that their work will be put on display and seen by thousands of people.


“One of the inspirations for the design has been Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Learning about the Mackintosh Rose and how he made such an impact on the city of Glasgow has been especially rewarding given it is the 150th anniversary of his birth.


“The other big inspiration for the work has been the skyline of Glasgow itself. I am so proud of all the hard work that they have put into the piano and I hope that it brings a lot of people enjoyment.”


The piano has been donated by social enterprise Glasgow Piano City, which aims to reduce social isolation and increase opportunities for people to connect by distributing pianos back into the community.


The project will help Skye, Niomi and Pavla work towards a Trinity Arts Award – a UK-wide scheme that encourages young people to grow their arts and leadership talents.


Jim Gillespie, chief executive of Kibble Group, said: “This piece of creative art shows once again just how talented the young people at Kibble are.


“Well done to all of them. I hope they get great satisfaction in knowing that their artwork will bring happiness to so many people.


“At Kibble, we place a great emphasis on the benefits of art-based projects and learning. Ensuring that the young people we care for have access to these opportunities means that we can get the best educational outcomes for them.”