Coombeshead College, Newton Abbot
Sam Eyre, the Expressive Arts Lead at Coombeshead College wrote:
Helen Foundation funding allowed Coombeshead Academy to connect and work with a Devon-based sculptor Alistair Lambert in sessions arranged by Daisi, who run an ongoing programme of artist-led workshops in schools, non-formal education settings, and communities. Alistair studied at Chelsea School of Art and the Royal College of Art.
The students’ aim was to produce large commemorative sculptures, to hang in the new gallery stairwell in the CREATE department at the school. Initially the students did some research and drawings focusing on WW1 aviation. From the drawings and the large array of 3D materials on offer, each student was given the creative space to develop an individual large piece of sculpture.
The students were introduced to a range of techniques and processes to create their sculptures, such as drilling, manipulating and combining materials along with exploring a range of different colourful surfaces. The students really made the most of Alistair’s knowledge and got stuck in with the workshop, producing a wonderful selection of pieces linked to WW1 aviation.
When asked at the end of the day to reflect on their experiences, participants said:
“In my opinion, this was a very interesting and fun experience, and I would love to do it again. My thoughts on doing this at first was crazy, but I really enjoyed it. I love the creativity that the artist showed us and he was really helpful throughout the workshop.”
Helen Coulson, Headteacher at Coombeshead Academy said:
“I am so grateful to The Helen Foundation for supporting us to put on this amazing workshop. Not only did the students take a huge amount away from spending two days with a successful professional artist, we now also have a new sculpture to hang in our gallery!”
Gatehouse School, Dawlish
Gatehouse invited artist Monica Shanta to run a painting workshop titled Expressing Emotions through Art which delighted the Year 3 and 4 children.
Afterwards, staff at the school compiled a compendium of the children’s feedback:
“We all enjoyed making the big pictures together. We worked collaboratively to create a giant piece of art work. We had to make sure we were wearing aprons because the paint was really messy and would have gone everywhere but this made it really fun and exciting.”
"We enjoyed working with our friends because it was so fun and it was good for us all to talk about different emotions and how this feels for each other.”
“We learned that emotions are a really personal thing and they can look so different depending on the people expressing them. We think this is such an important lesson for our real lives.”
“It was great to work with a real artist. Thank you so much for letting us take part!”
Cockwood School
Puppets were the arts focus of part of the summer term, so Cockwood School used its THF subsidy to invite artist Libby Quick to work with the children to create their own unique African animal shadow puppets and put on a performance at the end of the day. Years 4-6 were all involved, and it was very impressive to see the level of concentration and attention to detail of the children. The result was magical! Against a back-projected photo of the African savannah, and accompanied by music from The Lion King, children moved their puppet animals with great skill across the open spaces of the picture throwing impressive shadows onto the screen. This was a really successful workshop, with the performance enthusiastically watched and appreciated by Years 1-3.
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