Hello There

I am an artist who has been commissioned to work with young people in a community centre.

The project is to paint a internal roller shutter (steel or aluminium I think). I think it would be best to use spray paints but it is in inside and is a kitchen / café shutter.

I would like to us acrylic paint as they are nice and bright but I think these will flake??

Can some advise me of undercoat - I will obviously need to put somekind of primer on it.

If anyone can shed any light I would really appreciate some guidance. The shutter cannot be taken down and must be painted in situ!

Many thanks

The Mermaid.

First Point: Does this project have to take place in a food preparation area? I can see this center's legal reps rolling their eyes and screaming in pain! There could be some health department regulations involved--at least there would be here in the States. And especially so if sprayed paints, primers, glues, etc. were involved. Now that I've totally rained on your parade.. . I'd talk to some paint stores and/or manufacturers by phone and tell them what you're planning. These folks WANT to make it easy for you to cover the world with their products--and you might even get some supplied FREE while doing your research. The artists I've known personally who painted on metal--creating "art cars"--used a lead-based auto body primer, which can't be used indoors without a lot of safety equipment. I'd also suggest you consider some type of mixed media collage that can be applied for a set period and then taken down a few months/years down the road. That's why I like murals for group projects. You can control the main design, have lots of painters of varying skill levels involved, and the results still look great. Also, a painted wall is relatively easy to maintain and, if necessary, can be painted over (sorry) when the new regime takes over. I've seen this happen over the years, which has led me to prefer community/public art projects that have an intense impact BUT over a limited time-frame (like what Cristo does covering bridges). Right now I'm sitting here thinking of a cafeteria performance involving lots and lots of pudding!! I'm such a naughty artist! Good luck to you and I hope these ideas help. Introducing young people to the arts is a holy mission, in my book, and I hope you continue wherever your imagination leads you.