A busy station on the Tyne and Wear Metro system has had an artistic makeover thanks to the imagination of talented local schoolchildren.
Longbenton Metro station in North Tyneside was given the facelift when five new pieces of artwork were installed, representing the collective creativity of parents and pupils from Balliol Primary School, as well as youngsters at Balliol Youth Centre and members of the congregation St Mary Magdalene Church.
‘We love to go by Metro’ features over 170 individual paintings and drawings, cleverly combined into four mosaic images of pupils’ favourite family places to go by Metro as well as an interpretation panel explaining all about the project.
Images of St Mary’s Lighthouse, the Angel of the North, a Roman warrior at Segedunum Roman Fort and Newcastle Airport were constructed from hundreds of smaller images.
Fiona Downes, Head Teacher, Balliol Primary School, said: “The pupils’ response was fantastic when we asked them to paint their favourite places to visit by Metro. It was a chance for them to explore their region, thinking about all the things they like to do and they are very excited about seeing their work on display.
“Most of our pupils use the Metro regularly and will identify more closely with the station now it features their work. By getting involved with this project, the children are encouraged to take pride in their local community and really care for the places they use and visit.
“This has definitely been a joint community effort. We had a lot of parents and members of the church join in and come up with their own paintings – who thoroughly enjoyed the chance to be creative. I think in some cases they were even more proud than the children and their children were certainly incredibly proud of them.”
As well as the paintings, Balliol Primary School have signed up to Metro’s Station Adopter scheme, which encourages community members to get involved with the maintenance of nearby Metro stations. Pupils will carry out mini inspections and help with fun activities such planting flowers and gardening.
Emma Brough, Customer Services Director at DB Regio Tyne and Wear, which operates the Metro on behalf of Nexus, said: “It’s wonderful that the pupils at Balliol Primary School are showing such interest in their Metro station, and we’re happy to provide opportunities for learning and engagement.
“The new artwork gives Longbenton Metro station a vibrant new look and we’ve been impressed by the quality and variety of designs, which I think demonstrate how enthusiastic the children are about their region.”
‘We love to go by Metro’ is now on display at Longbenton Metro station. For further information about the Station Adopter scheme, email [email protected]
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