Schoolchildren in Nottingham have created 80 pieces of artwork to fill an exhibition promoting cultural diversity.
The Nottingham Big Tent opens on Monday (June 19) and visitors to Old Market Square will have the opportunity to walk through and see the pictures on display.
The project involves 35 local schools and has been funded by a grant from the Scape Group. The aim is to celebrate Nottingham’s rich diversity and community cohesion.
Councillor Sam Webster, Portfolio Holder for Business, Education and Skills at Nottingham City Council, said: “We have some extremely gifted pupils at our schools in Nottingham and, once again, they have shown their talent with this fantastic art exhibition.
“The message of celebrating different cultures, promoting diversity and community harmony has never been more appropriate, and I hope many people will take the opportunity to have a look while they’re in town over the next few days.”
Councillor Toby Neal, Portfolio Holder for Community and Customer Services, added: “We are rightly proud of our diverse communities and even more proud that people of all backgrounds live and work together harmoniously in this wonderful city of ours.
“Given the terrible recent events in Manchester and London’s Borough Market district, it feels like there has never been a better time to reinforce the message of love over hate.
“The artwork submitted by schoolchildren as part of the Nottingham Big Tent project is terrific and such a powerful way of showing what a tolerant and inclusive community we are. The pupils should be very proud of what they helped put together.”
The Big Tent will open at noon on Monday and will stay up until the afternoon of Wednesday 21 June. There will be an official opening ceremony planned for 10am on Tuesday 20 June.
Matt Carrington-Moore, Chief Marketing Officer from Scape Group, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to support this wonderful initiative. The Nottingham Big Tent really captures what it means to be a part of this City – that we are inclusive, appreciative of one another and, as the exhibition clearly demonstrates, we are bursting with talent and big ideas.”