The Bishop’s Blue Coat High School welcomes Chester Cathedral’s Artist-in-Residence

Chester Cathedral’s Artist-in-Residence joined students for Powerful Community Art Workshop

The Bishops’ Blue Coat CE High School recently welcomed visual artist Kirushan Sivagnanam to work with students on a large‑scale mixed‑media project exploring themes of identity, displacement and belonging.

Originally from Sri Lanka and now based in the UK, Kirushan is Chester Cathedral’s appointed Artist‑in‑Residence for 2025–2027, developing community‑focused artwork shaped by lived experience. The workshop formed part of an ongoing collaboration between Bishops’, Chester Cathedral, and the Chester City of Sanctuary group, continuing the school’s commitment to offering meaningful cultural and creative opportunities to its students.

Twenty‑eight students, from Years 8 to 12, took part and produced more than 500 mixed‑media artworks, many of which will contribute to Kirushan’s major installation in the forthcoming Cathedral exhibition ‘Unsettled Ground’, opening on the 20th February 2026.

The exhibition includes The Unseen Story Behind the Scene, an installation made up of hundreds of folded paper boats created by schools, universities, community groups and the artist himself. Each boat holds a personal message, memory, or hope — forming a collective reflection on movement, belonging, and the fragility of lived experience.

The workshop was also attended by Heather Swainston, representing the Chester City of Sanctuary group, following the groups previous collaboration with the school on the A‑Z Art Trail around Chester for Refugee Week 2025.

Heather said “It was great to represent Chester City of Sanctuary group and attend the workshop that Chester Cathedral of Sanctuary Artist in Residence Kirushan Sivagnanam facilitated with students at Bishops’.

The young people created so many paper boats, that will feature in the exhibition, and as ever were lovely to work with. I am personally looking forward also to collaborating again with the school for Refugee Week 2026 on the theme of ‘Courage’.”

Headteacher Miss Helen Cairns said “We are incredibly proud of our students for engaging so thoughtfully with this project. Collaborations like this enrich our curriculum and deepen our young people’s understanding of the world around them. Working with Kirushan and Chester Cathedral has offered our students a powerful opportunity to explore identity, compassion, and creativity in a meaningful way.”

The exhibit Unsettling Ground will run from Friday 20th February to Friday 6th March at Chester Cathedral.