A Stanley Spencer Gallery competition, entitled ‘Spring’ is encouraging Claires Court pupils to explore the theme of new beginnings and to produce their own interpretation of this.
All budding artists from reception to Year 9 can take part in the project using any media or materials available to them, from paint to pipe cleaners, and they will have the opportunity to exhibit their creative pieces in an online exhibition.
Martyn Goddard, Head of Junior Art at Claires Court, said: “Online teaching may still be a part of the majority of pupils’ lives, but with Spring quickly approaching, Claires Court pupils are filled with excitement for 'new beginnings'. Pupils are looking forward to an opportunity to exercise their creative minds and to present their work publicly.
“As teachers, we support opportunities to reduce screen time, and believe art is an excellent way to reflect and boost moods. We are always blown away by the standard of work our students produce and the level of imagination involved, so we look forward to seeing the ideas they come up with.”
Launching from Monday February 22, students will begin their projects through online classes where they can discuss ideas and ask questions. Working to the same brief, while producing their own artistic interpretation creates a sense of togetherness, alongside inspiring individuality and self expression.
Claires Court has enjoyed a long affiliation with the Cookham gallery and the resulting artwork will be displayed in an online exhibition on the Stanley Spencer Gallery website.
Jan Price, from the Stanley Spencer Gallery (SSG), commented: "The collaborative work which we do with local schools is a small part of the SSG education programme. In addition to welcoming school visits to the gallery, we have held competitions for designing Christmas cards in the past which have been very successful.
This ‘Spring’ collaborative competition between the gallery and an individual school is a new venture and we are delighted that Claires Court has responded with such enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing the creative outcomes of the pupils and hope that this will encourage more young people to engage with Stanley’s wonderful paintings and to come and see them in the gallery for themselves.”
To book an open event or school visit click here, or email [email protected]
The exhibition will be displayed on Stanley Spencer Gallery’s website at www.stanleyspencer.org.uk in the coming weeks.
