The Fulbridge Academy Sports Hall Project
September ’17
Soon after the start of the 2017/18 football season and I’m working at Fulbridge Academy again. I’m both honoured and excited to be given another opportunity to paint on a monumental scale and this time I’m in the Main Hall (now renamed as Looney Tune Land). This project will embrace the world of sport, its aim to encourage the children to become more involved with a variety of physical pursuits.
The brief presented to me by Principal Ben Erskine was to paint a mural on the walls of the Main Hall itself and the adjoining area at the back with a design divided into three sections. One would be seen as a ‘red carpet awards ceremony’, a celebration of international sporting achievement featuring sportsmen and women who have excelled and become an inspiration to others. The second, and largest area, needed to highlight particular sporting activities while the third should celebrate sport in Peterborough, identifying clubs and successful athletes who were born locally or have close links with the area.
Once again, it’s a big job, and like the affectionately titled ‘Sistine Chapel’ project painted in the Charles Swift Wing of the school in 2014/15, scaffolding is going to be needed again too. It’s going to be another demanding one, mentally and physically.
Following a couple of meetings with Ben, and receiving a list of sporting heroes from the PE department, I developed designs for the front and back areas of the hall and presented them at our next meeting. Given the thumbs up I made preparations to begin painting on 11th September.
Design for Back Walls (Version 1)
Figures requested for inclusion:
Athletics: Usain Bolt, Jesse Owens, Jessica Ennis-Hill / Basketball: Michael Jordan, LeBron James / Boxing: Muhammad Ali, Nicola Adams / Cricket: Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Basil D’Oliveira / Football: Pele, Bobby Moore, Cristiano Ronaldo / Gymnastics: Simone Biles, Nadia Comaneci / Rugby: Gareth Edwards, Richie McCaw / Sailing: Ellen MacArthur / Swimming: Michael Phelps, Ellie Simmonds / Tennis: Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rod Laver / Wheelchair athletics: Tanni Grey-Thompson
Design for Main Hall (Version 1)
Figures: Gymnastics: Louis Smith / Football: David Bentley, Luke Steele / Field Hockey: Paul Barber / Cricket: Ajaz Akhtar / Rowing: James Fox
Considering the scale and length of this project, I have decided that rather than present a detailed blog on its conclusion, instead I will post an occasionally updated photo diary. So watch this space…………
Fulbridge Academy, Keeton Rd, Peterborough PE1 3JQ
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