Ipswich Rail Station Waiting Room Offers Platform for Student Artwork

The work of a talented young Suffolk artist is now on display at Ipswich rail station, giving passengers the chance to enjoy striking local artwork while they wait for their trains.

Leah Payne, 17, a Creative Arts student at Suffolk New College, has created a series of photographic collages for the station’s waiting room as part of her Art, Design and Communication course.

Images of local scenes, relating to Ipswich port and the River Orwell, were made available by the Ipswich Maritime Trust, which has provided work experiences for Suffolk New College students since 2024.

With support and funding from the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership (ESLCRP) and Greater Anglia, three large photo collages were produced and are now on display in the waiting room on platform ¾ at Ipswich station.

Michael Klencher, Lecturer in Photography & Link tutor for the Level 3 UAL Extended Diploma in Creative Practice, said:

“After our students designed work for the old footbridge, the waiting room on platform 3/4 is the first display of photographic images, assembled by our student Leah Payne on three large canvases. For all our students, it is a great experience to get their work into public spaces, and we look forward to collaborating on further opportunities in the future.”

Aaron Taffera from the ESLCRP, said:

“We were delighted to facilitate this project that will help to bring Leah’s work to a wider audience. We look forward to working together on more exciting projects in the future to help continue to build positive links between the railway and the communities it serves.”

Alan Neville, Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Engagement Manager, said:

“We are very grateful to the community rail partnership, Suffolk New College and of course, Leah for helping to brighten the station with these lovely collages. I am sure the artwork will be enjoyed by the many passengers that pass through Ipswich station every day.”