Published: Tuesday, 23rd February, 2010 2:00pm

Pupils create paintings for school

PICTURE PERFECT: Artist Bill Stewart, a former pupil of the school, and principal art teacher Collette Brown with the artwork.

YOUNG art students have sealed their legacy by creating a series of modern religious paintings to be displayed in the new joint-campus school in Port Glasgow.

Three sixth-year pupils at St Stephen's High spent a week with a freelance artist to produce 14 individual pictures to represent the Stations of the Cross.

Talented trio Michaela Steele, Nicole Bradley and Sarah McNelis were helped out by artist Bill Stewart.

They worked on hardboard and used acrylic paints to create the striking images, which depict the last days of Christ on earth.

It shows Jesus's long walk with the cross to Mount Calvary, his crucifixion and his final resting place.

Principal art teacher Collette Brown said: "The girls have worked very hard and I'm amazed by their commitment.

"It's been a great to have an external artist in the school, which is part of our curriculum for excellence.

"The passion and emotion come across in every single picture and it gives the story a modern slant.

"We live in a visual time and kids are stimulated by these kind of things."

Pupil Sarah said: "Everyone who's seen the paintings - teachers, pupils and other staff - have loved them."

Her colleague Michaela said: "We've learned so much about colour and technique and it was great fun."

The project was funded by a generous parent's gift of £500 to the school.

The paintings will be displayed in the school and will be moved to a new oratory within St Stephen's at the joint campus with Port Glasgow High in 2012.

Artist Bill, a former pupil of the school who provided the sketches for the paintings, says they reflect the everyday trials and tribulations of young people today and illustrate how to overcome adversity.

He said: "It is about the young people themselves and how they can identify with every Station of the Cross in their own lives to show it is still relevant today.

"I think they are extremely talented and this is their legacy."