Children’s art project unveiled in Newbiggin

Young people from local Duke’s Secondary School were invited to take part in an art project to decorate a newly built public toilet block in Newbiggin, and the artwork has now been unveiled. 

With funding secured from local Northumberland County Councillor Liz Simpson’s small schemes grant, the project encouraged local children to design a mural to be placed in the public toilet block.  They were asked how they would like to decorate the toilet block and were given free reign to design, create and make the final artwork piece. 

The children decided to create a tiled mural, each tile was individually designed by a child and is inspired by their local area of Newbiggin. Children of different ages and abilities took part and the artwork includes a tile designed by a partially sighted child with braille incorporated, making the artwork accessible to all. 

Local artist, Alan Vickers, was asked to lead the children in the project, providing guidance to help the childrens’ ideas come to life. 

Steve Gibson, headteacher at the Duke’s Secondary School said: “We are delighted with the outcome of this art project. 

“The entire project has been child centred and allowed the children to really explore their creative sides to produce this piece of work to express themselves and what they love about their local area here in Newbiggin.”

Liz Simpson, councillor for Newbiggin Central and East said: “It is great to see the art project in place and available for all to see, from local residents to visitors to the area. 

“The work really reflects each child and has allowed them to have ownership over this entire project.  This is a really personal piece of each child and something they should be very proud of.”

Richard Wearmouth, cabinet member for economic development at Northumberland County Council unveiled the public art project, saying: “The project to create new public toilets within Newbiggin has been lifted and made very personal to the area with the inclusion of this mural, reflecting the local people, and will be seen for generations to come.”

The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Town Council were present for the unveiling.

Article by Northumberlannd County Council.