The Stoke Youth Park Cafe is getting a makeover thanks to one of the youth who work in the space.
As part of Youth Week 2023, 17-year-old Stevie Burke was asked to decorate the outside of the SYP Cafe’s container.
Stevie has been working in the space, receiving barista training from Maz Kirkham.
Having previously painted a mural on Karaka St, the team knew she was the right person to ask.
Stevie is now working full-time so the piece had been slowly coming together as she’s able. She put a lot of thought into what to paint and is happy with what she’s come up with.
“I wanted to base it off the vibes we have inside - it’s fun, happy, playful and bright. I want to incorporate that into what’s going to be outside as well,” she says.
“It’s almost psychedelic style, which I like to do anyway.”
Stevie has also incorporated a nod to Fleetwood Mac, her favourite band, with the words ‘go our own way’.
“Maz and I listen to it together a lot when I’m in the space, so I thought I’d add my little touch to it.”
While the artwork is not finished yet, she says she is looking forward to adding the colour.
“That’s going to be my favourite bit.”
When planning the mural, she was instantly drawn to incorporating both eyes and colour.
She says the feature of the artwork could be interpreted as a flower with petals or an eye with eyelashes.
“They gave me free range on what I wanted to do, so I was like ‘hell yeah’ - it’s basically a blank canvas.
Stevie says her love for art came from her mother.
“I like creating things. I definitely get it off my mum, she got me into it and I just fell in love with it.
