A Level art students from Northallerton College have used their talents to decorate the archway leading to Zion United Reformed Church in Northallerton High Street, by creating a colourful mural on each side of the archway.
Church members have always been keen to increase the visibility of the building, which is accessed through a deep archway. Back in 2010, as the church began to discuss their response to Vision2020, they decided to approach the College to ask if their art students would be interested in submitting suitable designs.
The school took up the challenge with enthusiasm and some excellent designs were submitted. These were displayed in the church and church members were able to vote for the design they felt would best reflect their outreach and beliefs - and which would also draw atention to the church building. The chosen design was created by Rory Williams, and he and his fellow students completed the murals as part of their A Level studies. The whole project took about a year from start to finish and was completed in the summer of 2011.
Hazel Sumsion, the Elder who liaised with the school throughout the project, said “Working with the staff and students of the school was a very positive experience. The young people were interested in finding out about the church and keen to meet the brief given to them by the Elders. The resulting murals are not only eye-catching pieces of art but also convey something of our beliefs and the many community activities arising from our church life.”
And since the murals are in place there have been many favourable comments from people who pass through the archway and from the general public. And church members have been particularly encouraged by the interest shown by passing children.