Hundreds of residents in Oldham had their artwork beamed onto an iconic theatre as part of an innovative digital exhibition to "glow up" the town.

The GlowBus project from arts charity, Stand and Be Counted Theatre, took a transformed yellow school bus on tour around Oldham last week.

School children, shoppers and passers-by climbed on board the bus to make creations, from illustrations to origami or film, inside the fun, immersive experience.

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On Saturday (November 16) evening, all the artwork was then projected onto Oldham's Lyceum Theatre before the Christmas lights switch-on.

The artwork was projected onto the theatreThe artwork was projected onto the theatre (Image: GlowBus)

The initiative engaged more than 1,000 people through weeks of working with community groups, the tour and the projection show.

During the tour, people of all ages stopped for selfies with the bus and many experienced its augmented reality feature which transformed the back door into a virtual portal with artwork.

Members of an English language group at Failsworth Library were also able to see the art they had created on display inside the bus when it called at Failsworth's Tesco Extra.

Luqman Ahmad, one of the young adults in the group, said: “I have enjoyed making the artwork a lot - and also got to do some graphic design.

“It feels great to see it on show.”

Nadia Emam, associate director at SBC, said: “One of our first stops was a primary school, and when the students came out and saw the bus they were absolutely wowed.

“It was such a magical environment for them to get creative and imagine what journey they might take the bus on.

“For most kids, they wouldn’t see something like this unless it was on the television."

Crowds enjoyed the exhibition Crowds enjoyed the exhibition (Image: GlowBus)

John Tomlinson, joint CEO at the UK’s first theatre company of sanctuary, added: “Manchester is only down the road but it has been so impactful for people to be able to pop into their local community and take part in something creative.

“There’s so much happening in Oldham at the moment and it’s great for people to be able to see their town quite literally glow up.”

Chelsea Morgan, also an associate director at SBC, worked with the library group and added: “What’s exciting about GlowBus is that it has been on tour to communities, not just the town centre.

“We’ve been able to bring creativity to people where they least expect it - like when they are doing their Tesco shop. It’s been something special to brighten up their day.”

The bus also stopped off at Greenhill Sports and Recreation Centre, Tesco Chadderton and Positive Steps on Union Street.

GlowBus was created in partnership with Yellow Bus Events. 

It was supported by the council and the High Street Accelerator, Oldham Coliseum, Arts Council England, Positive Steps and Oldham Libraries.

Community groups taking part also included the In My Shoes theatre group, Mahdlo Youth Centre, Oldham Greenhill Sports and Recreation Club, Theatre in Flow, Halcyon Way Special School, Oldham, Failsworth and Northmoor Library groups.

Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk