World-renowned artist Mackenzie Thorpe returned to his beloved Teesside to unveil a stunning new art display.

Middlesbrough-born Mackenzie has been collaborating with talented pupils from St Paulinus Catholic Primary School in Guisborough, giving bespoke tutorials to inspire their efforts.

The vibrant art, which features local scenes such as Roseberry Topping and Gisborough Priory together with Mackenzie’s signature love heart motif, now brightens the school’s entrance and playground for all to enjoy.

During his visit, Mackenzie praised the special “vibe” at St Paulinus, adding:

“Some schools I’ve been to don’t touch this one. I just wanted to say that for all your staff and for you. You’re so privileged and so lucky to be here.”

He told the children he began drawing in the fireplace ashes in the family’s Cannon Park home and he still draws every day of his life.

“There’s only one person who draws like me and there’s only one person who draws like you,” he said.

And he told them they can do whatever they want to if they work hard and put their heart and soul into it.

Speaking about his love for Teesside, he said:

“I can only talk about it as a spirit. It’s the men I grew up with in the shipyards or the foundries and what I always taught as a kid – you don’t let anybody down, you respect everybody and you don’t get too big for your boots or forget who you are.”

As part of the project, art subject lead Mrs Rathbone took pupils to the art department at Redcar’s Sacred Heart Secondary School, which like St Paulinus is part of Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT).

St Paulinus head of school Rachel Bircham said the new display reflects the school’s mission and values and its commitment to the community.

“Celebrating our school community has always been central to the vision we had for this project,”

“Our PACE values – perseverance, ambition, community and empathy – are woven into everything, from our curriculum to relationships to fundraising events.

“We aim to offer the very best education so that all our pupils go on to achieve great success throughout their lives. We recognise that every person has their own God-given talents, and we are all God’s work of art.

“This project also fits perfectly with our mission statement of ‘Love one another as I have loved you’, which is the beating heart of all we do.

“The idea of displaying local scenes with the theme of ‘love’ led us to Mackenzie and we were so thrilled when he agreed to work with us. The children loved learning about the artist himself, as well as developing new skills.

“Mackenzie is passionate about our area and the pieces he has created are inspirational. We love his style of art and how it celebrates Teesside.

“Seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they go by our school is a true blessing. Our children should be incredibly proud of themselves and of our school.

“We couldn’t be happier with this project and want to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to make it possible.”

One of the proud St Paulinus pupils, Albee, said:

“I was happy to meet Mackenzie Thorpe as I’d never had the chance to meet anyone like that before this project happened.”