Pupils from Dame Allan’s Junior School have showcased their creativity in a major city-centre exhibition celebrating neurodiverse artists and inclusive creativity.
Eight pupils from Years 2 to 6 took part in the award-winning Wey Aye LEGO Man 2026 project, designing personalised LEGO-inspired figures reflecting their personalities and passions, now on display at One Strawberry Lane in Newcastle. The annual exhibition brings together artists, schools and community groups from across the UK, using customised LEGO figures, photography and installations to celebrate imagination, individuality and inclusion.
The Dame Allan’s pupils worked collaboratively over several weeks with Junior School Art and Design Technology Leader Lisa Forster and SEN Co-ordinator Paula Roberts, on figures that reflected what made them unique.
Mrs Forster said: “Projects like this are incredibly important because they give children a chance to express themselves in ways that feel authentic and meaningful to them.
“For some pupils, creativity becomes a real strength and a way to build confidence, connection and pride in who they are.”
On Monday, the pupils visited the exhibition for a private guided tour, seeing their work displayed alongside pieces from professional artists and contributors from across the country. They also explored creative photography techniques including light painting, macro photography and high-speed splash photography before taking part in a LEGO-themed workshop and scavenger hunt.
Among those involved was Year 6 pupil Maeve Saleh, from Stocksfield, who created a skiing-inspired LEGO figure with sparkly accessories to reflect her love of skiing and “colourful personality”.
Maeve said: “You can tell a lot about someone’s personality from their figure.
“When I was painting, you could forget about everything because it was such a calming atmosphere.”
Classmate Heidi Reed, from Morpeth, created a multicoloured LEGO figure complete with a jet pack and said: “I know that my brain works differently, but at school there are lots of friends and supportive teachers who help me.
“The LEGO art group was really supportive and everyone encouraged each other.”
Julie Malinova, a Year 4 pupil from Benton, designed an axolotl-inspired figure and said the project encouraged pupils to embrace their individuality.
“It’s not just a LEGO figure we’ve created — we’re bringing ideas to life,” she said. “I feel OK about my brain being different because although I’m bad at spelling, I’m amazing at art.”
The project forms part of Dame Allan’s wider Artsmark journey — a national creative quality standard for schools — helping to further embed collaboration, creativity and community engagement across school life.
In recent years, the Junior School has expanded its art, design technology and co-curricular opportunities to help pupils build confidence, self-expression and wider connections through the arts.
Mrs Forster added: “The children were incredibly proud to see their work displayed in a professional exhibition space in the heart of Newcastle.
“At Dame Allan’s, we’re passionate about creating opportunities for pupils to use their talents beyond the classroom and to see that their ideas and individuality are genuinely valued.”
The exhibition is currently open at One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle.