Work on the Sheffield artist’s contemporary nativity-inspired painting is underway, and it will be unveiled in December as part of the Cathedral’s ‘most ambitious’ festive programme ever.
Pete’s piece is based on work that gives 1,000 Sheffield children the chance to learn music in school and sing at the iconic building.
The 6ft by 4ft painting in his distinctive style features nods to the diversity of Sheffield life and the joyful chaos of modern school nativity performances.
“This commission is incredibly exciting for us”, said Dean of Sheffield, The Very Revd Abi Thompson.
“It represents our work with schools, our new choristers, and where our heart lies in partnering with our most economically deprived communities.
“It will be a proper Pete McKee version of what a Sheffield nativity might look like in 2025.“There’s nostalgia, togetherness, joy, and it will be a delight for people to see.”
The painting project has taken a year to develop.
Dean Abi with Pete McKee
During the process, children at Prince Edward Primary School, Manor, took part in a summer photoshoot to guide Pete’s work.
The school was the first to participate in the Cathedral’s Schools Singing Programme, which provides expert music tuition to 1,000 students at ten schools.
Pete McKee said:
“The important thing with the painting was to reflect how we are today as a nation, and how multicultural we are.
“I wanted to reflect that and make it a very honest piece of work.”
Pete also revealed there were fun features hidden in the artwork, that people would often relate to from memorable school nativities.
Without giving away any surprises, he added:
“As a child, it’s your first acting experience, and as a parent, it’s the first time you see your kid in the limelight.
“With that comes a lot of pressure!”
The Schools Singing Programme is the newest of only four in the UK.
Director Tom Daggett said:
“It is transformative because it gives children the confidence to stand tall, be themselves, learn life skills and perform at major Cathedral events.
“Through music, we show them that they have a place in the community and they can see themselves as leaders.”
Pete’s hand-painted artwork, called The Nativity, is the centrepiece of a bumper Christmas calendar at Sheffield Cathedral.
The building’s stunning exterior will be illuminated with an amazing light show created by the innovative ‘Double Take Projections’ as part of the new city centre event, Light Up Sheffield.
The show will draw on images from the Cathedral’s historic stained glass windows, with a hint of the beautiful Pete McKee painting inside.
It will be complemented by the twinkling lights of the Cathedral’s annual Christmas Tree Festival, and everything is free to visit from December 5th-14th.
Music by Sheffield Cathedral Choir will feature as the backing track for the illuminations.
Pete added:
“I am a big believer and a big supporter of making art as free as possible, so I love the idea of Light Up Sheffield.
“It’s a fantastic calling card for any artist to do a great piece of work, and it also just cheers up a city centre.”
A glow-in-the-dark family trail is taking place inside the Cathedral during Light Up Sheffield.
A Cathedral Choir Christmas concert on December 13th, starring new choristers drawn from the school singing programme, is also part of the festive calendar.
Dean Abi said tens of thousands of people visit the Cathedral during the ‘magical’ Christmas countdown.
“Without doubt it’s our most ambitious Christmas ever”, she added.
“What I am looking forward to most is seeing the Cathedral filled with people enjoying the space and feeling the wonder of it, the warmth and the welcome.”
Pete’s artwork will be retained by the Cathedral for people to enjoy for years to come.
Light Up Sheffield will also illuminate Sheffield Central Library with Pete’s work and bring the Pounds Park Reverie mural by Peachzz to life.
Browse all events at Sheffield Cathedral - including carol services for shoppers, on Christmas Eve and Midnight Mass - at sheffieldcathedral.org/whats-on