Sense of Place
Working with artists Paul Merrick, Louise Bradley, Nicola Lynch and Graham Patterson, Sense of Place was an exhibition of work created by pupils from Holy Trinity First School, St Cuthbert’s First School, Tweedmouth Community Middle School, and Spittal First School as part of the Create, Aspire, Transform programme. This was the second stage of the programme and the second exhibition. 381 pupils worked with their chosen artists over 6 days after spending time researching their localities, collecting information, exploring techniques and visiting galleries before creating their final work for the joint exhibition. Each artist then worked with pupils and their teachers to install the exhibition. This work was complemented with a series of visits to galleries in Berwick, Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumbria University.
Each school took a unique approach to explore the theme:
St Cuthbert’s First School:
Year 1 to Year 4 pupils experimented with different methods of printmaking with artist Louise Bradley. Their artwork was the result of research into the concept of borders, maps, journeys, shelter and the journeys of refugees.
Tweedmouth Community Middle School:
Year 5 pupils worked with artist Nicola Lynch to explore creating geometric structures. The pupils created small icosahedrons in school inspired by an exhibition visit in January. Working with Nicola they increased the scale of their work to create a 4 metre wide geodesic dome and other works that were exhibited that carried their personal responses to a Sense of Place including the town, the beach, home and hobbies.
Holy Trinity First School:
Year 2 and Year 3 pupils worked with artist Paul Merrick. Starting with a walk along Berwick Town Walls and the River Tweed, the children filled their own sketchbooks with ideas, observations, quick drawings and rubbings of their immediate surrounding, paying close attention to key landmarks, beacons and architecture. The children then translated their sketchbook drawings into sculptures, constructing a series of mini monuments to create their own three-dimensional map of their hometown.
Spittal Community First School:
The whole school from nursery to Year 4 worked with artist Graham Patterson. Shoreline debris was used as a material to create kinetic drawings and sculptures. Human figurines were attached to several works introducing a playful element to the serious subject of discarded plastic and fishing gear. The damaging impact that plastics have on the marine environment is especially pertinent given the schools proximity to the beach.
The Create, Aspire, Transform programme, workshops and Sense of Place exhibitions have been supported by an Arts-based Learning Explore and Test grant from Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation was established by Paul Hamlyn in 1987. Upon his death in 2001, he left most of his estate to the Foundation, creating one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK.
Their mission is to help people overcome disadvantage and lack of opportunity, so that they can realise their potential and enjoy fulfilling and creative lives. They have a particular interest in supporting young people and a strong belief in the importance of the arts.
Sense of Place – Family Day
All were welcome to the Family Day held in The Gymnasium Gallery during the exhibition – families are welcome to attend our galleries at any time but this was a special day to celebrate the children’s work. This was part of Engage, the National Association for Gallery Education’s Children’s Art Week.