24th July 2008
Pupils in huge art attack

Young artists from the Dearne have taken part in a huge artwork project in Rotherham's All Saints Square.

Pupils from Kilnhurst St Thomas School, Dearne Valley College, Swinton Community School, Rawmarsh Sandhill and Wath Pope Pius School joined more than 1,000 youngsters in producing a massive photo mosaic.

The striking artwork will form a part of the borough's history as the first piece of art in the ambitious Rotherham Renaissance programme. The mosaics tell the story of Rotherham in the past, present and future and will remain in the town centre for a minimum of two years – until construction of the new All Saints' Building has completed.

The project was carried out jointly by the Renaissance team, Rotherham Youth Enterprise and Rotherham Ready and moved on a stage to involve the three Rotherham Colleges, Rotherham College of Arts and Technology, Dearne Valley College and Thomas Rotherham College. Every child's piece of art was used to form three large scale photo mosaics – covering in total 48 panels of the hoardings standing around All Saints' Building in the town centre.

Leader of the council, and chair of the Town Team, Cllr Roger Stone said: "I was delighted by this project because of the enthusiasm and optimism it shows coming from our young people. The Renaissance programme is a 25 year plan so will mainly benefit these age groups and it was not only encouraging to see the excitement surrounding what's being built now like the new shop units, flats and leisure complex, but also their pride for Rotherham's past and great faith in the town's future. These pupils show what Rotherham is all about – great ambassadors for a great town."

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