St Mary’s students showcase artistic talent in New Brighton exhibition

Students from St Mary’s Catholic College had the opportunity to share their creativity with the wider community through a unique art exhibition at The Hatch in New Brighton.

The exhibition ran over three days. It brought together an impressive collection of work created by students from Years 7 to 12. Featuring over 100 pieces, the display highlighted a wide range of artistic media, including painting, sculpture, drawing and mixed media.

Celebrating creativity through ‘People & Places’

The theme, ‘People & Places’, encouraged students to explore personal stories, local environments and the diverse community around them. Many pieces were inspired by the character and coastline of New Brighton and Wallasey, offering a creative reflection of the area through the eyes of young artists.

Year 12 student Jacob said:

“It’s been a really exciting journey being part of the ‘People & Places’ exhibition. I’ve always loved drawing, and the support and encouragement I get from my art teachers are making me seriously consider taking an arts course at university after sixth form.”

Young artists gain real-world exhibition experience

Following a successful private viewing, the exhibition opened to the public, welcoming visitors to experience the students’ creativity in a professional gallery setting. The event aimed to celebrate not only artistic skill, but also experimentation, individuality and self-expression across all year groups.

Anneley Pickles, owner of The Hatch, said:

“The takeaway for me as a gallery owner was the pure joy on the children’s faces to see their work displayed.

“Value comes from someone saying to the students ‘You can do it, and we believe in you’. This is so important as it means ‘I’ve got you’ and ‘We will support you as a school’ – you can’t get any better than that.”

School and trust praise students’ artistic achievements

Kevin Maddocks, headteacher of St Mary’s Catholic College, said:

“The exhibition was a proud moment for the school as it enabled students to showcase their work outside of the classroom.

“It was wonderful to see so many visitors enjoying such a rich and diverse collection of work. The exhibition not only showcased the exceptional creativity and talent of our students but also the confidence they have developed in expressing themselves through art. Opportunities like this, where students can exhibit their work in a professional setting, help to raise aspirations, challenge them to achieve even more and demonstrate that their creativity has a place beyond the classroom. Providing these authentic experiences is a key part of what we aim to achieve at St Mary’s.”

St Mary’s Catholic College is part of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust, which champions creativity across its schools and empowers students to explore their talents, ideas and ambitions.

Andy Moor, CEO of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust, added:

“The People & Places exhibition is a wonderful example of how our schools encourage students to explore their creativity and share their talents with others. It is fantastic to see young people given the chance to express themselves, develop their skills and celebrate their achievements within the wider community.”