Hundreds of Oldham people had their artwork beamed onto an iconic theatre in the culmination of an innovative digital exhibition ‘glowing up’ the town.
The GlowBus project from arts charity Stand & Be Counted Theatre took a transformed yellow school bus on tour around Oldham communities last week.
School pupils, shoppers and passers-by were able to climb on board and make creations – from illustrations to origami or film – inside the fun, immersive experience.
On Saturday evening, all the artworks were projected onto Oldham’s Lyceum Theatre before the Christmas lights switch-on took place.
The project has given people of all ages a ticket to enjoy creative opportunities on their doorstep.
Nadia Emam, associate director at SBC, said: “One of our first stops was a primary school, and when the students came out and saw the bus they were absolutely wowed.
“It was such a magical environment for them to get creative and imagine what journey they might take the bus on.
“For most kids, they wouldn’t see something like this unless it was on the television. “
John Tomlinson, joint CEO at the UK’s first theatre company of sanctuary, added: “Manchester is only down the road but it has been so impactful for people to be able to pop into their local community and take part in something creative.
“There’s so much happening in Oldham at the moment and it’s great for people to be able to see their town quite literally glow up.”
GlowBus engaged more than 1,000 people through weeks of work with community groups, the tour and Saturday’s exciting projection show.
During the tour, people of all ages stopped for selfies with the bus. Many experienced its augmented reality feature, which transformed the back door into a virtual portal with artwork.
Members of an English language group at Failsworth Library were able to see the art they had created on display inside the bus when it called in at Failsworth’s Tesco Extra.
Luqman Ahmad, one of the young adults in the group, said: “I have enjoyed making the artwork a lot – and also got to do some graphic design.
“It feels great to see it on show.”
Chelsea Morgan, also an associate director at SBC, has worked with the library group.
She added: “What’s exciting about GlowBus is that it has been on tour to communities, not just the town centre.
“We’ve been able to bring creativity to people where they least expect it – like when they are doing their Tesco shop. It’s been something special to brighten up their day.”
The bus also stopped off at Greenhill Sports and Recreation Centre, Tesco Chadderton and Positive Steps on Union Street.
Creative work produced as part of the project will be displayed permanently in a digital collection on Stand & Be Counted’s website.
GlowBus was created in partnership with Yellow Bus Events. It was supported by Oldham Council and the High Street Accelerator, Oldham Coliseum, Arts Council England, Positive Steps and Oldham Libraries.
Community groups taking part also included the In My Shoes theatre group, Mahdlo Youth Centre, Oldham Greenhill Sports and Recreation Club, Theatre in Flow, Halcyon Way Special School, Oldham, Failsworth and Northmoor Library groups.
