A GROUP of vulnerable young people have been given the chance to be curators of an exhibition featuring art from prisons across the North-East.

The project entitled Reflections is being staged at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and The Gallery at Gateshead Central Library, in Gateshead, from Saturday October 19.

On display will be over 100 paintings, drawings and other artworks from prisons, secure hospitals, secure children’s homes and probation services from across the region.

The exhibition has been curated by half a dozen young people, aged 14 to 15-years-old from the Gateshead Behaviour Support Service – providing them with valuable arts education and practical experience.

All those involved have all previously met challenges in school.

The works have been selected from over 300 entries from the North-East for this year’s Koestler Awards – a scheme which has been run by the Koestler Trust charity to promote artistic achievement in the criminal justice system and secure sectors.

Head teacher Steve Siddell, said: “These young people have all had some difficulties in the past and working with artists and helping decide what went in the exhibition has helped build their self-esteem and confidence.”

Tim Robertson, Koestler Trust chief executive, said: “We are extremely pleased to be holding our first-ever exhibition in the North-East, and it’s great that it is being hosted by two such prestigious venues.”

Works will include entries from Durham Prison, HM Prison Northumberland at Morpeth, Frankland Prison and Low Newton Prison and Young Offenders’ Institution, in Durham, Northgate Hospital, in Morpeth, and St Nicholas Hospital, in Gosforth.

Admission to the exhibition is free.