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Sculptor works with primary children
Posted: 15th October 2019Creative children were able to get hands-on with a professional sculptor as they crafted their own art installation.
Jane Ackroyd took her sculpture The Cat – part of Harlow Arts Trust’s collection based at Gibberd Gallery - to show pupils at Freshwaters Primary Academy.
As part of a three-year funded project by the Arts Council and Heritage Lottery Fund to photograph the UK’s sculptures, the artist is taking part in the Masterpieces in Schools initiative to get the public involved.
Year 5 pupils spent the day working with the sculptor to create their own masterpiece – a donkey – to be installed in the school grounds.
Pupils in other year groups were given the opportunity to study The Cat and to sketch their own versions of it.
Jane said: “It is really good to be able to work with the children. They asked such excited questions while we were working together. It is a good excuse to get their hands dirty and makes them see that lots of people continue with art as they get older, even if they do not do it for a job.”
A total of 125 schools are being visited by sculptors as part of the work.
Selina Levinson Drake, learning and engagement officer for Art UK, said: “This is a different experience for the children. It is an opportunity for them to meet an artist and be close to a real sculpture. It may spark some interest in exploring the many sculptures in their town.
“This visit gives children pride in their own artwork, the sculpture they have adopted and their hometown.”
