Pupils get creative (From Echo)

Pupils get creative

10:10pm Tuesday 25th May 2010 in Education By Claire Hankey

GIVING children a chance to shine is the aim of a new exhibition at the Towngate Theatre, in Basildon.

The exhibition showcases the work of pupils from junior and primary schools across the town after they attended art classes for ten weeks to hone their creative skills.

The classes were organised by the Basildon Excellence Cluster, a partnership of 25 infant, junior, primary, secondary and special schools.

Patrick White, director of the cluster, says: “The aim is to raise expectations and aspirations and to give children and young people the chance to succeed.

“The Basildon Excellence Cluster runs creative projects across the year, employing professional artists to share their expertise with the young people of Basildon schools.

“Creative time is somewhat limited during the normal school day, and the afterschool classes give the young people a chance to fully explore their potential as artists.”

During the ten weeks, pupils studied the work of Anthony Gormley, L S Lowry, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Eva Hess and Meret Oppenheim, as well as ancient art such as cave drawings, and stone circles.

They then worked together with the professionals to create oil, pastel, watercolour and acrylic pictures, life-size sculptures, cave art, illuminated letter designs and clay models.

Ingrid Anderson, a local artist who worked with the pupils, said: “We have an extraordinary amount of creative talent in Basildon and giving young people a chance to try new things and see their work on show for others to appreciate raises their self-esteem.

“They have learnt amazing new skills and developed existing ones, to create innovative work of a high standard.”

“It has been my pleasure to be part of such a wonderful project, watching the children grow as artists.

“It would be fantastic to see more activities and events such as this taking place in Basildon to raise aspirations and let others see the great potential of our young people.”

The Young Art Exhibition, at the theatre in St Martins Square, is now open for public viewing.

Mr White added: “It really gives the young people an opportunity to see their achievements in a professional situation and a chance for the rest of Basildon to see the massive creative talent emerging from Basildon schools.”