“I started teaching with seven people but in the past week that has gone up to fifteen” – Art classes in Boothstown, Salford.

Zak Kadir talks about giving back, as he offers art classes to his local community.

Boothstown’s Zak Kadir, 20, has recently started offering art classes at The Rowan Sheltered scheme, Mosley Common. It is open everyday, to all ages, with a range of social activities suited to the community.

Kadir was first commissioned by another artist working at The Beehive community centre to complete a piece of artwork on a storage shed at the entrance of the centre. With an interest in a future full of art, Zak was very eager when asked if he would teach art classes at The Rowans , which is located behind Beehive Community centre.

Kadir said: “I was commissioned by the artist Fanny Gogh to finish a piece of work at the community centre. I did a few days finishing other sheds and then did my own shed with wisteria to help brighten the community centre.”

“I am now an art teacher at The Rowans centre. I have been teaching Chinese brush painting for a few weeks now, I’m really enjoying it.”

Kadir discussed how the people he has been teaching age from around 55 to 80 years old. He also spoke about how some of the older people he teaches have brought their grandchildren to join in with the art classes.

Kadir has noticed his classes growing as word has started to get around about his work. He said : “I started with teaching seven people but in the past week that has gone up to fifteen…I think that people have been passing my name around and saying that they enjoy it.”

“There are also different types of people I have noticed that come to the classes, some people come to try something new , and then there are some people who take it more seriously.

“There is one man who has an artistic background and comes to feed his hobby. He shows up with his own brushes and paints, and when I asked the class to paint a piece of fruit he produced a whole fruit bowl.”

Kadir is proud of how he is helping people through his classes, he feels that he has has given visitors something to look forward to.

When speaking about The Rowans centre as a whole, Kadir described the centre as a safe place. He continued: “People can come to relax and see others.

“I would love to keep working for The Rowans as it helps me feel as though I’m giving something back to my community. I would like to in the future change the style of art I teach and look at using acrylics and fabric.”