As part of Arts Council England ‘Let’s Create Platinum Jubilee’ grant, awarded to SCRP in 2022, an agreement was reached between GTR Southern Rail, SCRP and the QEII SEN School in Horsham, to create a legacy project, which would sustain beyond the congratulatory posters displayed in the short term.
The Bridge Art Gallery, at Horsham Railway station will be handed over to station adopters, the QEII School, to display artwork created by their pupils, all of whom have special needs.
To kick things off, Community Artist Graham Upton delivered a street art workshop at the school, and then, with pupils and staff from the school, visited Horsham Railway station to create an amazing freehand painted portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II, together with a stencil portrait, showing her in a familiar pose earlier in her long reign.
Rowena Tyler, Community Development Officer for the Arun Valley Line said: “We were very appreciative of the Arts Council England funding which helped to promote our ‘Community Rail congratulates Her Majesty’ message during the Platinum Jubilee celebration period. When we came up with the idea of a long lasting art installation, and handing over the art gallery to the school, it just seemed so appropriate. We were grateful to the Arts Council via Sussex Giving, who were supportive of this idea.”
Once the school has installed its artwork into the art gallery, it will be renamed, from the Bridge Art Gallery to – The Jubilee Gallery.
