Pupil’s art celebrating Heywood goes on display

Pupils with their artwork on display, with Gail Hopper, Councillor Kieran Heakin and artist Collin Lyall

Six Heywood primary schools from the Arch Alliance: All Soul’s, Harwood Park, Heap Bridge, Hopwood, St Luke’s and St Margaret’s, all took part and now have their work on public display.

Artist Colin Lyall was commissioned by the headteachers of the schools for the project, which aimed to celebrate Heywood, its architecture and heritage.

The project started with a photographic competition in which pupils from across the schools were invited to submit photographs of significant landmarks from the local area.

Colin then used those images with a class of children from each school to create sketches which were then pieced together to make the basis of the twelve large scale images to be painted.

Pupils from each school were then selected to paint the final images for display.

Councillor Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “What a talented group of children. Their work is really powerful and they’ve picked a fantastic mix of buildings in Heywood. There is a wealth of creative talent in schools and this project is testament to that.”

Speaking at the launch artist Colin said: “It is great to see all their hard work on display. It was a privilege to work with such enthusiastic and capable young artists. Their energy and involvement was a delight. I think that comes across in the work. I hope people come along and see the art and see Heywood celebrated.”

Pupils found the course very interesting and relished the creativity of the project. Bradley, aged 11 from Hopwood primary school, said: “I'm very proud that a piece of art work that I helped to create is on display in public place and everyone can see what we are capable of.”

The artwork will be on display at Number One Riverside near the coffee shop and children’s library, during opening hours, until Friday 3 August 2018.