Children from Holy Cross Catholic Primary School have created artwork for fifty new banners displayed along Bold Street. The project celebrates creativity, community spirit and young people’s contribution to Liverpool city centre.
Liverpool’s Bold Street has been enhanced by a new public art installation featuring 50 banners designed by pupils from the Holy Cross Catholic Primary School. The initiative, involving approximately 60 year five and six students, was developed to bring vibrant color and a sense of community to the city center. The students worked with local artist Bridget Watkinson to create designs that highlight the street's unique character. Watkinson guided the children through the creative process, encouraging them to develop imaginative designs that were then scaled up for public display.
The project was commissioned by the Liverpool Business Improvement District (BID) and developed in partnership with Dot-Art. Organizers intended the installation to celebrate themes of hope and community spirit, focusing on the concepts of bold, bright, and beautiful. Katy Bentley, director of strategic partnership and communications at the Liverpool BID, noted that Bold Street reflects the city’s story through its food, art, and retail. She stated that the project aims to make art accessible to the public while fostering a sense of belonging for young residents.
By seeing their own artwork on display, the children have a chance to engage with their local environment in a lasting way. The participating pupils expressed excitement about the project, particularly when they realized their designs would be showcased as large-scale installations. Joe Hodges, deputy head teacher at Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, said the initiative helped students develop a sense of pride and belonging by allowing them to make a tangible contribution to the wider community. The collaboration between the school, local artists, and the BID demonstrates how public art can strengthen connections between local people and the spaces they inhabit.
