More than 1,000 works are now on display as part of the “Big Bold Bolton” exhibition at the Market Place shopping centre with contributions from six primary schools across Horwich and Blackrod.
St Catherine’s CE Primary School headteacher Karen Graham said that the works spanned paintings, drawings, sculptures and much more.
She said: “It’s a real celebration of Bolton identity.
“The children have pursued their passions and that really comes through in the artworks they’ve created.”
Schools taking part have been St Catherine’s, Claypool Primary, St Mary’s RC Primary, Chorley New Road Primary, Horwich Parish CE Primary, and Blackrod Primary.
All of the more than 1000 artworks have been created by children between the ages of three and 11 from across the various primary schools.
The exhibition was organised as part of Bolton’s Town of Culture programme with the collaboration led by Naomi Coleman, art and curriculum coordinator, at Chorley New Road Primary Academy.
She worked with an enthusiastic team including arts and education consultant Julie Levy, arts and education consultant for Bolton Gill Smith and art co-ordinators from St Mary’s, Horwich Parish, Blackrod, St Catherine’s and Claypool Primary schools.
The exhibition includes sculptures of famous Boltonians like Peter Kay, Amir Khan, Fred Dibnah and Sara Cox as well as displays inspired by Ye Old Pastie Shop and the Rivington Pike.
The project has aimed to help children understand how art and design both reflect and shape their history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of Bolton.
The walls have been resplendent with sketches showing scenes from Bolton’s past and present as well as a display honouring the borough’s famous elephants.
Several of the artworks were inspired by LS Lowery’s famous Going to the Match, itself based on scenes of Bolton Wanderers fans on their way to the old Burnden Park ground.
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Many of the children have created works showing a modern version of the scene with fans on their way to the Toughsheet Stadium at Middlebrook.
Some of the artworks feature the Bolton skyline as well as celebrating famous companies like Warburtons and even displays celebrating the borough’s heritage going back to neolithic times.
The Horwich and Blackrod Learning Community Schools Art Exhibition can be found at the Community Hive on the upper ground floor at the Market Place shopping centre.
It will be running on Thursdays and Saturdays between 1pm and 5pm from February 14 to March 30.
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