Launched in late 2021, the Paddington Village School Design Challenge was conceived by KQ Liverpool, dot-art and USP Creative, to engage local secondary school pupils in the Paddington Village development and offer them the chance to be part of the site’s emerging heritage.
Students were encouraged to get creative by drawing, painting or printing a sculpture design inspired by science and technology, two of the most prominent sectors within the world-leading Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) innovation district.
Now, a panel of expert judges has named Peyton Boswell from Maghull High School as the winning designer, beating over 100 other students from across Liverpool City Region for the top spot.
Impressed by the variety of content and visual impact of her design, Peyton Boswell’s artwork features an array of dynamic chemistry, biology, space and computer science references.
Explaining the rationale behind her design choices, Peyton said: “I included scientific symbols to show that the Knowledge Quarter will be filled with new science technologies and I think that the bright colours show that it will be a fun and exciting place to work and visit.
“I included an image of the world to show that KQ Liverpool will be world class and I also included a rocket to show that we should all aim high, to reach for the stars!”
Peyton’s winning design will now feature on a new sculpture located at Paddington Village in KQ Liverpool and the student will be credited on a plaque as the designer of the monument. In addition, she will receive a bundle of art supplies and a trophy to acknowledge her achievement, with her school also receiving £500 to put towards art and creative supplies.
The next phase of the Paddington Village School Design Challenge project will include the commissioning of local artist Brigitte Watkison to transfer the winning design onto the public sculpture.
Rachael Patterson, Competition Judge and Policy and Marketing Manager at KQ Liverpool said: “We were overwhelmed by the level of talent and creativity demonstrated by the young people in our City Region who took part in our competition.
“There were a number of standout entries however, and we look forward to seeing the winning design transformed onto a sculpture and enjoyed as a piece of art for years to come”.
In total, over 100 applications were received from Students aged between 11 to 16, who attend educational institutions across the Liverpool City Region, including Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College, Maghull High School, King David High School and Childwall Abbey School.
Five other students; Alexandra Thwaite, Carrie McKevitt, Isabella Orme, Jessica Williams and Toby White, have been named as Highly Commended runners-up, and will join Peyton Boswell at a special celebration to unveil the sculpture later this year.
Also attending the ceremony will be members of the competition’s judging panel, which included representatives from dot-art, KQ Liverpool, Sciontec, USP Creative and Councillor Barbara Murray, who scored entries based on their design skill, vision and interpretation of the brief.
Lucy Byrne, Competition Judge and Founder of dot-art said: “This design challenge is a great example of partnership working to inspire and champion the next generation of creatives.
“As a social enterprise supporting local visual artists, we are also delighted to be able to offer an artist the opportunity to bring the design to life.”
Emily Cook, Policy and Research Officer at KQ Liverpool added: “With culture playing such a crucial role in the regeneration of Liverpool City Region, it is key that we continue to nurture our cultural offering across KQ Liverpool through KQ Culture initiatives like this.
“When it comes to public realm and culture, Paddington Village is an exciting blank canvas and a real opportunity to think not only creatively but also sustainably and inclusively.”
