Newcastle College Students Celebrate the Tyne Bridge with Public Art Display

Artwork created by students at Newcastle College to honour the legacy of the Tyne Bridge is now on public display in the heart of Newcastle.

Around 200 students on Graphics, Animation and Illustration courses were invited to create unique designs inspired by the Tyne Bridge’s role in historic events, regional milestones, and Newcastle and Gateshead’s cultural identity.

Out of those paintings, prints, and digital pieces, 13 were selected to be displayed in the Tyne Bridge Information Hub.

“The Tyne Bridge is such an iconic part of Newcastle’s identity,” said student Mia, who contributed a digital piece. “It was great to be able to celebrate that through my own work and see it displayed in a public space.”

Billy Tate, Head of Digital Arts at Newcastle College, reflected on the impact the creative project has had. He said: “This project has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to connect with the heritage of the North East through their creativity. The Tyne Bridge is an iconic symbol of our region, and we’re incredibly proud to see our learners’ work celebrating its legacy and future.

"Collaborating with Esh has given our students real-world experience and a meaningful opportunity to develop their skills. Gaining hands-on experience through projects like this is vital in helping our students build confidence, strengthen their portfolios, and prepare for the demands of the creative industries.”

Kate Marshall, Social Value Manager at Esh Construction, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Newcastle College on this unique social value project. We want to create engaging and meaningful experiences for as many people as possible, and students have been able to demonstrate and showcase their skills, while also learning about the bridge’s history and how the iconic structure is being restored, preserved and futureproofed for the generations to come.”