A creative graffiti workshop successfully transformed the Börger bicycle tunnel into a colorful work of art, engaging 16 young participants in a community art project on September 13. The initiative was organized by JUKI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and youth work in Börger, with professional guidance from the experienced creative agency "Freischütz" from Leer and generous support from local community sponsors.
The inaugural workshop aimed to achieve multiple community goals: fostering creativity and a sense of community among local youth, encouraging direct participation of young people in shaping their immediate environment, and beautifying the bicycle underpass that serves as an important transit route. The project operated under the inspiring motto "Börger is Colorful," which became the central theme for all artistic expressions created during the event.
The workshop was structured in two comprehensive phases to ensure participants received proper training and guidance. During the first block, participants received step-by-step instruction in the fundamentals of graffiti art directly at the tunnel wall under the supervision of the professional creative agency. This hands-on approach allowed young artists to understand basic techniques, color theory, and artistic composition while working in the actual space they would be transforming.
The collaborative design development phase proved to be particularly engaging, as all participants had the opportunity to contribute ideas and creative impulses under the "Börger is Colorful" theme. The professional agency then took these collective concepts and developed them into cohesive graphic designs. These designs were subsequently sketched onto the tunnel walls, which had been professionally pre-painted by the local painting company M. Klaßen to provide the ideal surface for the graffiti artwork.
The second block focused on the actual spray painting process under expert supervision. Participants donned protective masks, grabbed their spray cans, and began bringing their collective vision to life on the tunnel walls. The atmosphere was energetic and collaborative as young artists worked together to create sections of the larger mural while learning proper techniques and safety procedures from experienced professionals.
Throughout the entire workshop, organizers ensured participants remained energized and engaged by providing refreshments, snacks, and pizza. This thoughtful attention to the participants' comfort contributed to the positive atmosphere and helped maintain enthusiasm throughout the day-long creative process.
The project's success was made possible through the generous support of numerous local sponsors and organizations. Special recognition goes to the Municipality of Börger, Metallbau Schmees, Volksbank Nordhümmling, Baustoffe Geers, Autohandel Sebers, donations from the Pius Festival, and the Lower Saxony State Authority for Road Construction and Traffic. Their financial and logistical support enabled the purchase of art supplies, professional guidance, and refreshments for all participants.
The workshop organizers expressed particular gratitude to the 16 young participants who embraced the project with tremendous enthusiasm, creative diversity, and artistic energy. Their collaborative efforts resulted in what project leaders described as a truly "cool" artwork that now brightens the daily commute of cyclists and pedestrians using the tunnel. The finished mural serves as both a functional improvement to public infrastructure and a testament to the creative potential of Börger's youth community.
Heike Fortmann, a board member of JUKI Börger, emphasized the project's broader impact on community engagement and youth development. The initiative demonstrates how collaborative art projects can successfully bring together young people, local businesses, government entities, and professional artists to create lasting positive changes in public spaces while providing valuable learning experiences for participants.
