Zutphen unveils student-designed sculptures to guide tourists through historic city
Zutphen’s new tourist signage now features unique sculptures designed by local students, blending art with functionality. The designs, inspired by the city’s heritage, aim to enhance visitors' experience while giving young residents a voice in shaping their city’s identity.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Designers | Jaiden Yau and Stella Sykora (students at Eligant Lyceum) |
| Location | Zutphen city center, Gelderland |
| Unveiling Date | March 4, 2026 |
| Key Features | City coat of arms, historic towers, and remnants of the old city wall |
| Project Partners | Eligant Lyceum, Heritage Advisory Council, AGMI Traffic & Lighting |
| Rollout Timeline | All sculptures installed in the city center by end of March 2026 |
The municipality of Zutphen plays a key role in urban development and cultural initiatives, often collaborating with local institutions to enhance the city’s appeal. This project reflects its commitment to involving young residents in shaping public spaces while promoting tourism and local heritage.
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Students from Eligant Lyceum Unveil Sculpture for Tourist Signage in Zutphen
If you walk through the city center, you’ve probably already seen it: the tourist signage has been renewed. In various locations around the city, new poles now guide visitors to the most beautiful spots in Zutphen.
Each pole features a unique sculpture incorporating recognizable Zutphen characteristics. The design of this sculpture was created by two students from Eligant Lyceum.
The first sculpture was unveiled on Wednesday, March 4, on the signage pole near the Walburgis Church, in the presence of Alderman Rick Verschure and the two young designers, Jaiden Yau and Stella Sykora.
Student Designs Take Center Stage in the Cityscape
The municipality organized a design competition, giving students from Eligant Lyceum the opportunity to actively contribute to the layout of their own city. The students submitted various proposals for a sculpture that reflects the history and identity of Zutphen.
Jaiden and Stella’s design stood out to the jury for its recognizable elements of the city.
“It’s wonderful to see how creative our young people are. By involving them in projects like this, we give young residents a voice in shaping our city. Their design will soon literally stand at the heart of Zutphen’s streetscape.”
Alderman Rick Verschure
Recognizable Symbols of Zutphen
The new sculptures incorporate typical features of Zutphen, such as the city’s coat of arms and the distinctive towers of the city. This makes them a recognizable and stylish addition atop the new signage poles.
“I thought about the identity of Zutphen, and I find the old city wall very recognizable, which is why I incorporated it into my design. I think Zutphen is beautiful and a bit of a maze. But it’s a maze I’d love to get lost in!”
Jaiden
“For me, the many towers are central when I think of Zutphen, so I included them in my design. I’m a little proud that these sculptures will soon be visible throughout the city!”
Stella
A Fine Start to the Tourist Season
The sculptures on the new signage arrive at an opportune time. With the start of the tourist season, the city center and its businesses are preparing for a new influx of visitors. The renewed signage poles with the Zutphen sculptures help guide visitors while also enhancing the appeal of the historic city center.
The municipality extends its gratitude to all students of Eligant Lyceum for their creativity, to Eligant Lyceum for the excellent collaboration, to the Heritage Advisory Council for the original idea, and to AGMI Traffic & Lighting for the project’s execution. This month, the sculptures will appear on all poles in the city center.