Young local artists at work

Pupils from Ardrossan Academy have been busily painting large boards to create a fence on a derelict site at St Peter’s Old School, South Crescent Road, Ardrossan.

The pupils have painted local scenes, including pictures of the old school itself taken from old postcards of the area.

Irvine Bay Regeneration Company in partnership with McLaughlin Construction have donated the materials for the project with the new fence boards being erected in the coming weeks ― providing a lively and bright feature on a prominent site in Ardrossan in time for the summer holidays.

Irvine Bay Regeneration Company has been working with the school as part of a wider initiative to involve local schools in the regeneration initiative as well as promote public art in the area. The project is the brain child of Principle Art Teacher at Ardrossan Academy, Harry Sutton. He has been the catalyst and energy behind the project, enthusing and engaging the pupils.

Harry Sutton said: “This project has been really hard work, but extremely rewarding. The young people involved have gained so much ― understanding and relating to their local environment as well as a fantastic opportunity to leave their own mark on the local community. It’s just great to see all their hard work coming together, and I’m very proud of what they’ve achieved.”

Marion Francis, Project Manager with Irvine Bay Regeneration Company said: “The project has been great for the local area. The quality of the young peoples’ work is outstanding and it will brighten up a previously drab area in a very visible and vibrant way for the benefit of everyone.”