Bridging art and engineering: Fulwell Junior School celebrates the New Keel Crossing
Last week, the Keel Crossing project team had the pleasure of revisiting Fulwell Junior School, this time not to talk about careers or construction, but to celebrate creativity.
The school’s newly opened art gallery, inspired by the Keel Crossing project, is a vibrant testament to how infrastructure can spark imagination.
The team’s relationship with Fulwell Junior School has grown steadily over the past year. From initial site visits to discuss the Keel Crossing project, to a careers talk in September 2024, and a memorable onsite visit in Summer 2024 where pupils buried a time capsule by the south pier.
This week’s visit was particularly special. The children remembered the team and the project, and the team remembered them, guiding the team through the gallery, proudly showcasing their work and sharing stories from their time onsite.
The gallery is the culmination of Fulwell’s 2024–2025 Whole School Project, aptly titled Bridging Our Future. It features a brilliant array of artwork which includes chalk pastels, pencil sketches, pen drawings, oil paintings, watercolours, and photography. Each piece reflects the children’s interpretation of Sunderland’s iconic bridges, including Keel Crossing, Northern Spire, and Wearmouth Bridge.
The exhibition also features entries to the prestigious Copley Prize, run by The Lowry Gallery in Salford. These pieces reflect the children’s exploration of L.S. Lowry’s style, blending industrial landscapes with personal expression.
The gallery celebrates civic pride and reflects the legacy Keel Crossing is already building in Sunderland and it’s great to see our work interpreted through the eyes of young artists.
We’re honoured to be part of Fulwell Junior School’s journey and look forward to seeing how these young minds continue to build, imagine, and inspire.
