More than 25 years of Centre Sant Jaume
Centre Sant Jaume is a non-profit organisation founded in 1997 in Badalona. It works towards the education and the human, social and cultural development of children, young people and families in situations of vulnerability or at risk of social exclusion.
Its team is made up of professionals from the socio-educational field —social educators, pedagogues, psychologists, social workers— as well as volunteers who actively take part in the project.
Its origins date back to 1995, with the creation of the Carles Blanch Foundation, promoted by several organisations linked to the Sant Ignasi de Sarrià School. This project was born as an educational initiative with a social vocation, inspired by the legacy of Carles Blanch i Xiró.
In 1996, they began running a Centre Obert (Open Centre) in the Gorg neighbourhood of Badalona, with the aim of promoting social justice through education for children at risk of social exclusion.
Over the years, they have expanded their spaces and developed a range of projects to respond to the needs of the local community, such as educational support programmes, prevention of school absenteeism, youth mentoring, and employment integration initiatives.
Today, they continue to work with a strong social commitment, focusing their efforts on supporting people and contributing to the building of a more just and inclusive society.
The cultural project with BAS
At BAS, we understand urban art as much more than an artistic expression: it is a powerful tool for participation, social cohesion, and community transformation. For this reason, we develop cultural projects in collaboration with local organizations and collectives, creating creative experiences that foster dialogue, civic engagement, and a sense of belonging within the community.
On this occasion, we had the opportunity to collaborate with Centre Sant Jaume in Badalona, a socio-educational organization that supports children, adolescents, and young people in vulnerable situations. Through educational programs, leisure activities, academic support, and community initiatives, the centre works to promote social inclusion, equal opportunities, and the personal development of its participants.
With the aim of creating a more welcoming and meaningful space for the children, we jointly launched a participatory mural project to transform the centre’s dining hall. The initiative was led by artist Camil Escruela, who guided the group throughout the entire creative process.
The project was carried out through four workshops. The first session introduced participants to the world of urban art, exploring its history, visual language, and ability to communicate ideas and transform spaces. During the second workshop, the children worked collaboratively to generate ideas, share perspectives, and develop the first sketches of the mural. The final two sessions were dedicated to bringing the artwork to life, turning those initial concepts into a collective artistic intervention.
Beyond the final result, this project became a valuable learning and participatory experience. The children were able to express their creativity, strengthen teamwork skills, make decisions together, and see their ideas take shape in a space that is part of their everyday lives.
Today, the mural stands as a reflection of their imagination, but also of the value that shared creative processes have in building connections, self-confidence, and a sense of community.
At BAS, we remain committed to initiatives that bring culture closer to people and use art as a catalyst for social change. We firmly believe that creativity can generate opportunities, foster inclusion, and create spaces for connection that enrich our communities.
