Velocity, News desk 2040
As part of Glasgow Life and Clyde Gateway’s Velocity Arts Programme, artist Karen McGrady Parker delivered News Desk 2040, working with artists Jen Athan and Sean O’Brien to engage young people and local communities in Glasgow’s East End to imagine and lead future-facing change.
The first phase of News Desk 2040 began in 2019. Working alongside fellow Glasgow Life Artists in Residence, John Binnie, Ilisa Stack, Fraser MacLeod and Skye Loneragan, Karen engaged local residents, young people and adults with disabilities in workshops exploring climate change. While many participants expressed feelings of helplessness and disconnection from global issues, the project used creative prompts to reframe the conversation: “What if the planet was healing by 2040? What would life look like if wearable smart tech improved our health and wellbeing?”
Participants embraced these imagined possibilities, sparking hope, creativity and action. Their ideas were recorded in the News Desk 2040 podcast, sharing visions of a better future.
During lockdown 2020, the project continued online, with online workshops. Fourteen-year-old Abbie Steven submitted an invention called Happier Billboards Make Happier Lives, which used the rainbow motif to promote positivity in her community. With Karen’s support and collaboration with Farrell Ink, photographer Paul Hampton and illustrator Dani Labrosse, Abbie’s idea was brought to life through large-scale billboard posters displayed on London Road.
"During lockdown, I have been going on a lot of walks because I have found out that my mental health hasn’t been good during COVID-19. I have seen loads of billboards whilst out walking, but they are really dull and they don’t brighten up my day! If I walked out of my house, went for a walk, and looked up, and my idea, my name and this artwork was up on a billboard, I would be so proud of myself, trying to help people I love and to save people from being negative. Having my name on the billboard would make me feel proud to know that I would be putting a message out to everyone, and make them feel better about themselves and that they are not alone." - Abbie Steven
In 2023, Karen expanded her work with the Creative Leaders project, delivering sessions at St Anne’s and Dalmarnock Primary Schools. The aim was to build confidence in young people to lead playful, creative sessions with their peers. In the first phase, pupils were trained as facilitators through imaginative games and participatory activities, which they then delivered as sessions to younger classes in their schools.
The project culminated in a celebratory sharing day, where creative leaders from both schools came together with their teachers to showcase their achievements. Through this work, young people were empowered not just as participants but as imaginative leaders shaping their communities through creativity and collaboration.
A special thanks to community partners, supporters and contributors: Jen Athan | Sean O’Brien | St. Anne’s Primary | Dalmarnock Primary | Clear Channel UK | Mostly Media | John Binnie | Abbie Steven.
Image - Robin Mitchell
