Lichfield District Council has proudly unveiled a new and inspiring art installation in the heart of Lichfield City Centre—created by local schoolchildren.
As part of an exciting community engagement project, pupils aged 10 to 11 from schools across the district were invited to take part in an art competition, capturing ‘why they love Lichfield District’. The winning entries, chosen for their creativity, are now on display on the hoardings surrounding the Lichfield City Centre development site of the new cinema.
The artwork, which brings colour and life to the city centre, will remain on display for over 12 months, creating a vibrant backdrop as the transformation of the site progresses—culminating in the opening of a brand-new cinema in early 2026.
The cinema, an Everyman complemented by retail and dining establishments, is part of the wider redevelopment of the Birmingham Road Site which will also include housing and forms a key part of the masterplan for the city. The cinema development and plaza is being delivered by national construction and refurbishment specialists Inside Ltd.
The participating schools included: St Joseph and St Theresa’s Catholic Primary School in Burntwood, St Chad’s C of E Primary School in Lichfield, Christ Church C of E Primary School in Lichfield, Chase Terrace Primary School in Burntwood, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Lichfield, Holly Grove Primary School in Burntwood and Rocklands School in Lichfield.
Councillor Andy Smith, Lichfield District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Major Projects, said:
“This project has not only showcased the incredible talent of our young residents but also highlighted what makes Lichfield District such a special place to live. It’s fantastic to see the city centre brightened up by these meaningful and imaginative pieces of art as we continue our regeneration journey.”
Adam Frankling, Bid Manager at Inside said:
“From when we first tendered this project, it was clear that engaging the community was critical to its success. What better way to do that than to encourage the city’s young people to express their love for Lichfield and to give a fresh perspective. “We were so impressed with the quality of the entries and are absolutely delighted with the end result!”
Katie Whiting, Art Lead at Holly Grove Primary School in Burntwood, said:
“We had lots of keen artists enter this competition and are really proud of our 11 fantastic finalists. The children used their own talent and imagination to create original pieces in a range of media based on what Lichfield District means to them.”
A spokesperson for St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Lichfield said:
“It’s been a real pleasure to be involved in this project and to see our students’ creativity celebrated in such a public and meaningful way. The children have loved the opportunity to contribute to their city, and seeing their artwork featured in the heart of Lichfield is something they’ll remember for years to come.”
The initiative was part of the council’s wider commitment to involving the community in local development projects, encouraging pride in place and giving young people a voice in the future of their district.
The council would like to thank all the schools and students who took part and helped make this project a success.