The masks were inspired by traditional African art and the young peoples' imagination.

One of the many projects that took place in Oxfordshire in and around Black History Month was the Autumn holiday project at Blackbird Leys Youth Centre.

Potter David Odwar, originally from Uganda, joined young people and volunteers to produce clay masks inspired by African artworks during the Autumn holiday.

The masks and artworks produced are going to be collected into a selling exhibition in the New Year, showing artwork by young people from the Youth centre as well as artists from the BLAG adults art group.

To find out more, read on.

A mask takes shape; later, the young people also made clay figures.

Comments from the young people who took part

"I think David was very fun and easy to understand. I have learnt a lot of methods of how to make a lot of things from clay as well as making masks and sculptures. This new method I can use in my college. Thank you for a lot Youth Centre! "

"Very nice actually – mud stuff good to relax"

"David Odwar inspires you. The project is fun and interesting. It can improve your practical skills. Totally cool. "

"[I'm] More creative than I thought. [I learned] How to build them up strong."

"I like moulding the body into shape and seeing what it looked like at the end."