Photographer teams up with Jersey charities to rejuvenate town

A Jersey photographer, a business owner and a group of charities have teamed up to bring some life back to St Helier's empty shop windows.

Maximilian Young and Jade Garden owner, Man Chi Wan, have set up the Charity Showcase Initiative, to showcase a charity every two months in the former Sephora shop window.

The idea sprung to life when Man Chi gave the window space to Max to use for whatever he would like, as she developed 25 and 27 King Street.

The 26-year-old says the restaurant owner and the States have agreed that the project will help to improve the look of one of the busiest streets in town.

"They don't want people to be walking up and down the high street or anywhere around town and to be looking into building sites.

"The idea is a rejuvenation project, where rather than walking through King Street and being reminded what used to be there you walk past and see a different form of artwork."

Maximilian Young, Jersey-based photographer Credit: @maximilian.young

The first charity to be showcased is Macmillan Jersey.

Photographs of the Oasis and the team are featured in the former Sephora's window, describing what the charity does to support islanders.

Max says he has worked with some amazing charities throughout his career

"[I wanted to] use this opportunity to showcase charities and the amazing work they do in the island using advertising space they wouldn't normally be able to get."

Macmillan Jersey, Oasis. Credit: @maximilian.young

Even Jersey's government has given Man Chi Wan and Max Young support for their initiative.

Max hopes this project will inspire other property owners in town to use their deserted shop windows to brighten up the town centre.

"When you walk through and around town you can see so many empty buildings.

"There are so many opportunities to be able to, rather than remind you of what used to be there, just place something in there in the meantime even as a place holder to just draw attention to things.

"It can be anything to do with art, it can be anything to showcase charities like we're doing with 27 King Street, and it could even just be creatively done advertising for the next development."