YOUNG artists will transform a Borders town hall this weekend when their colourful designs are projected onto its façade.

The organisers of Borders Art Fair (BAF) received over 100 entries to the SHINE competition, which invited young people to completely reimagine the appearance of Kelso Town House.

And for the next two Saturday evenings their ideas will be brought to life when around 30 of the best designs will be projected onto the front of the early 19th-century neoclassical Category B listed building.

The overall winners of the competition are Oliver Wright, 11, (junior section, 13 and under) who goes to Broomlands Primary School and Christopher Blackwell, 17, (seniors, 18 and under) from Jedburgh.

Both received a £100 Cass Art Voucher donated by Art Society Borders, who sponsored SHINE alongside local businesses Hastings Legal, Douglas Home & Co and Focal Point Furniture.

Border Telegraph:

Kelso Town hall reimagined 

Frances Fergusson, BAF Director, said: “We wanted young people to use their imaginations and artistic talents to achieve something spectacular – and they seemed to love the idea of transforming the look of a whole town hall. It’s been a great response with some mind-blowing ideas.

“We’re inviting the public to come along during two evenings in February to see the designs that Oliver, Christopher and many others came up with. Kelso Town House will be brought to life as it becomes the canvas for their colourful artworks.”

The competition, funded by the Scottish Government, aimed to nurture interest in the arts and to bring the community together as Scotland seeks to rebuild after the pandemic.

The public can see the designs projected onto the building on 12 and 19 February, from 6pm to 8pm. The Dessert Diva café and takeaway will be open for hot drinks and snacks.