Young artists create new collection for Wentworth Woodhouse

NEW works have been added to the grand artistic history of Wentworth Woodhouse.

Teenagers on the National Citizen Service scheme run by Rotherham United’s Community Sports Trust spent a week at the mansion creating a unique series of images which will be displayed as part of the new rooftop tours.

Keeley Stephenson, of Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, said: “We asked them to think creatively, using the house and a host of facts about the scaffolding and the rooftop tours as their inspiration and we were astonished at how brilliant their paintings were.

“They are going to look fantastic on our rooftop walkways. 

“We even got a new version of Whistlejacket, the Earl’s legendary 18th century racehorse, whose painting by Stubbs is in the National Portrait Gallery.”

Quantity Surveyor Amy Stamford, who is working on the roof project, encouraged her bosses to provide all art materials for the project, while RUCST decided to pay to have their logo on one of the paintings.

Among the artists at work were 16-year-olds Emily Haigh and Lauren Malia, who created a technicolour interpretation of Wentworth monuments the Needle’s Eye, Hoober Stand, the Rockingham Mausoleum and Doric Temple.

“It’s been really good fun and we’re looking forward to seeing our work on display,” said Lauren, of Aston, who plans to study at Thomas Rotherham College.

Reece Hirst, Holly West and Joseph Stringer (16) worked together on an image. 

“It symbolises new horizons for the house and the new generations coming to see it,” said Thrybergh Comprehensive pupil Holly, who plans to study at RCAT.

Another NCS group added to the trust’s restoration coffers by busking, face painting and selling second hand books in Rotherham town centre and holding a cake sale at the mansion, which raised £197 in total.

“It’s been great to feel you are doing something useful for such a beautiful place,” said Maltby Academy leaver Julianne Mackintosh.

Related topics: