Maidenhead & Windsor

Eleven young people from the Maidenhead Royal Borough will be centre stage at the National Gallery in London on Friday evening when they take part in a gala performance to mark the end of the Festival of Youth Arts.

The young people, all of them for one reason or another working with or being looked after by Maidenhead social services, will be stars for the night, following a visit to the National Gallery earlier this week for a creative dance session with a top London director.

Their visit, sponsored by Nokia through the National Children's Bureau, included a tour of the gallery but focused especially on Titian's opulent painting of Bacchus and Ariadne. The young Maidenhead people studied the painting closely and then worked on a dance routine based on the movement and flow of the work. They were coached by Kenrick Sandy, creative director of Boy Blue Entertainment – an East London contemporary/street youth dance company.

Sheila Jones, Maidenhead borough's children's services manager, said the day had been a wonderful experience for the young people involved.

She said: "Not only did they get their first glimpse of the National Gallery itself but they were given insights into the worlds of art and dance and the opportunity to use and expand their own creativity. Some of the young people discovered talents they didn't know they had and, overall, it was a wonderful boost for their skills development, in terms of self -confidence and self-esteem. And, of course, they still have Friday night to look forward to. It will be an amazing part of a wonderful new life experience."

Friday night's Youth Arts Party in the National Gallery concludes a week of activities and events in the Festival of Youth Arts, celebrating the creative achievements of young people.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead