Organised by Sizewell Creative – a community-focused initiative promoting the arts – the exhibition featured a diverse range of artwork including photography, watercolour paintings, and abstract designs.
Nineteen colleagues from Sizewell C, including contractors and the project’s Artist in Residence, Les Bicknell, exhibited artwork, revealing the creative flair within the workforce of the new power station under construction on the Suffolk coast.
Held at The Chapel in Barnby, near Lowestoft, the event drew dozens of visitors and marked the beginning of a year-long tour across Suffolk, with future stops planned in Leiston, Lowestoft, and Ipswich.
Sean Jarrett, a Contracts Manager at VolkerFitzpatrick, one of Sizewell C’s contractors, exhibited five paintings at the exhibition, and said: “This is the first time I’ve taken part in an exhibition, and it’s been great getting people’s appreciation and perspective.
“Sizewell Creative helps to take people away from the day-to-day routine of life. At other major projects it’s all about the construction, it’s all about the build. So, to be able to take part in this project has been fantastic.”
Founded in 2024 with the goal of bringing people together and celebrating community through the arts, Sizewell Creative has so far laid on an opera, art classes, choir performances, children’s activity days, and other engaging events.
Rosalind Parker, Creative Director at Sizewell Creative, said: “We’ve had a really, really beautiful response to the exhibition. We’ve had local people attend, who haven’t been to the gallery before, and some of our artists and partners have travelled far and wide to be here. It’s fantastic.”
The exhibition was made possible after Richard Dale, a Senior Project Manager at Sizewell C, offered the use of his art gallery in Barnby. Sizewell Creative jumped at the chance.
Genevieve Christie, CEO of First Light Festival CIC – which curated the exhibition on behalf of Sizewell Creative – said: “I’ve never seen a project like this where a workforce is exhibiting its own art. I suspect it has happened, but I’ve not seen it in Suffolk before.
“Sizewell Creative is allowing people working on the project to express themselves. I’ve spoken to many people, from digger drivers to those working on plans, and it’s been wonderful to see this level of engagement. Art really can bring people together.”
- 3 views
