“Bright Colors 2.0” was a youth exchange project designed by a group of young people and mentors from Shokkin Group and partners from La Vibria (Spain) and NATG Amater (Republic of North Macedonia).
The youth exchange was created to promote self-expression and self-exploration through art and through sharing art.
During the period of 5-14 August, the group had a chance to run workshops, try different art forms and create a set of collaborative murals for Vivere School in Tallinn. The Estonian team was represented by Darius, Tanel, Emilia, Marta, Iris, Vova, Artem, Vika, Rodion, Nastja and Maryna with the support of Pavel. This is what they say about their experience:
“It allowed us to see things from new perspectives. We learned how to communicate beyond language barriers and found common ground through art. This collaboration and teamwork deepened our creative process through all stages of work.
Not everything is as hard as it seems. We often feel overwhelmed by challenges because we think they’re more difficult than they actually are. But once you take the first step, you realize that most things are manageable, especially if you break them into smaller parts. Whether it’s learning something new or tackling a problem, the key is to keep going.”
“It was inspiring to see that there are many people who would like to explore the world of street art and murals by participating in projects like this and learning something new for themselves. After seeing the openness and determination of the participants – I can safely say that the culture of street art and murals is slowly but surely being more accepted in the society and people are getting a more positive mindset towards this form of art. These kinds of moments bring me hope and joy in my work field.” —Emilia
“This youth exchange meant a lot to me, I was able to express myself through art and work together with amazing people. It gave me so much new knowledge, lifelong friends and confidence about the art I do.” — Marta
“The Bright Colors YE was amazing. I really enjoyed creating art with other nationalities, and if I were able to remake the project again, I would love to! The skills I gained are very cool, and now I can freely participate in street art projects! I gained skills using sprays and I got to know more about life in Catalonia and North Macedonia.” — Artem
“Bright Colors 2.0 was a great youth exchange where I had a chance to meet people from Spain and North Macedonia, I learned about the culture of these countries and tried street art. I’m taking away street art skills and communication skills with different people from different countries and skills of working in teams and digitally.” — Rodion
“Bright Colors meant connecting with a diverse group of awesome people, sharing ideas and experiences with them through cool and engaging activities. Most importantly, creative practices. From this experience I will take away new ideas and non-formal educational games, as well as lifelong memories and connections for the future.” — Tanel
“Through Bright Colors I gained valuable experience working in a multicultural group, acquired new professional knowledge, and was once again inspired by the idea of continuing to create meaningful art of my own.” — Darius
“Bright Colors 2.0 was an unforgettable experience that taught me the impact art can have on a community. Creating graffiti for the school and painting on legal walls not only helped me grow artistically but also strengthened my understanding of teamwork and creative expression.” — Maryna
For us, the defining moment was how our creations became a lasting part of the school. From once bare, empty walls, vivid stories began to unfold, flooded with color. Through every shade, we expressed our emotions and filled the atmosphere with positivity. We wanted the murals to brighten up the school and inspire them to embrace their talents, whether it’s in the arts or sports. We hope our work serves as a reminder that with perseverance, anything is possible.
📸 More photos, videos and day by day descriptions here.