GoodLaak

GoedLaak, a place in Laak where art connects the neighborhood

In the Laak district, in the Schipperskwartier, GoedLaak has grown into an initiative where art and community come together. The project, an art route created by children from the neighborhood, started with workshops and has resulted in visible street art that beautifies the area and touches people. The initiative arose from the desire to let a different voice be heard instead of the constant negative stories about the neighborhood. GoedLaak shows how beautiful and powerful Laak is and aims to make residents proud of their neighborhood again.

GoedLaak thus shows how creativity can contribute to pride in the neighborhood. For Dave de Bruin That is exactly why this initiative is so valuable. He sees how the project makes the neighborhood more beautiful and makes residents look at their surroundings differently. 'It is a jewel for the district.'

Proud of GoedLaak

Art as a starting point

For the initiator Vanessa Vespasiani GoedLaak started with a clear question for the children in the neighborhood. 'I asked: what would you like to learn? And the answer was graffiti.' From there, workshops emerged in which children were guided step by step. They learned techniques, made sketches, and worked together on a joint creation. The little tunnel they worked on turned out very beautifully. It represents the sea with all kinds of beautiful tropical fish. 'It was very fun and educational, and also just enjoyable,' says Julian, one of the children who worked on the project.

Making young talent visible

What makes GoedLaak special is that the artists are children. Young people between the ages of 8 and 12 participated. During the workshops, their skills grew, but so did their self-confidence. By working together on a final result, not only art emerged, but also connection.

Pride in the neighborhood

The impact of GoedLaak is visible in the neighborhood. The artworks create a different look and give residents something to be proud of.

It makes the neighborhood proud through beautiful things, and not just through negative stories.

Building the future together

GoedLaak is more than a one-off project. It shows what is possible when children, residents, and makers work together. Dave, Vanessa and Julian are visibly proud of it.

For Vanessa This is just the beginning. The ambition is to create more opportunities for young makers and to further enrich the neighborhood with art.

Within Nieuw70, GoedLaak is an example of how creativity and collaboration can lead to pride, development, and new energy in the neighborhood.