A new art project has been created by the Chewstick Foundation as part of the Corporation of Hamilton’s upcoming City Arts Festival.

The steps on Chancery Lane have been given a dash of colour and decorated with words of poetry ahead of the festival, which is due to take place on Saturday, October 24.

Chewstick’s Gavin Smith said: “We took the opportunity to highlight visual art and poetry as part of the festival.

“We have four local poets that created pieces for the steps — Tiffany Paynter, Stephan Johnson, Yesha Townsend and Matthew Johnston. They are all mentors in our youth poetry programme.

“We also have four visual artists — Ayana Ming Bean, Joanna Stapff, Alshante Foggo and Jenille Smith — who painted the words and artwork on to the steps.

“In discussing the aspirations of the arts festival with the Corporation, we thought it would be a good idea to incorporate poetry with the theme of art and love.”

Chewstick, an arts charity, is in the process of renovating its new venue, to be titled the Chewstick Culture Hub, on Front Street.

“We are actively pursuing funding to help us finish renovations,” Mr Smith said.

“There will be an open house during [this] Saturday and Sunday’s America’s Cup festivities.”