Woodford Junior School Children Do the Twist With Local Artist
Pupils from Woodford Junior School are helping to design and produce an artwork for the reception area in the new Foot Anstey building at Salt Quay House in Plymouth Harbour.
Katie Lake, local artist, commissioned by Foot Anstey, has worked with pupils from Pomphlett Primary and St Boniface as well as Woodford Junior School on their interpretations of the sea and the harbour.
Pictured here is the latest stage in Woodford’s work – a cold metal workshop when they bent, twisted and shaped metal bars, wire and copper.
To create this artwork Foot Anstey is working, in partnership, with Devon and Arts Initiative in School and Barefoot the Plymouth Arts Education and Partnership Agency, who identified the three participating schools, organised the school workshops and is collecting feedback.
Julia Green, head of the education team at Foot Anstey said “We are delighted that the children are enjoying the project so much.
“Working with metal and the associated tools and equipment is not something that children have the chance to do very often these days.
“Watching them getting involved and enthusiastically contributing in such a practical way gives them a real sense of ownership of the project. It is also important that the students will have the opportunity to see the sculpture in situ in our new offices and appreciate their contribution to what is a statement building in Plymouth.”
Richard Marsh Director of Barefoot said “This project brings together three valuable creative experiences for young people, especially those of primary age.
“Firstly, they are benefiting from working with and gaining new skills from a professional artist – someone who makes their living from art.
“Secondly, they are working creatively with metal, a rare opportunity in most schools. Thirdly, they are part of a commercial design project, seeing, from the inside, how art is playing a key part in a prestigious new build.
“And, in case we all forget that most important ingredient of effective learning, they are also having a tremendous amount of fun!”
Katie’s recent commissions include the Anchor at Gun Wharf and railings in Sutton Harbour, as well as private gate and railing commissions in London and the South East.
Published 19/12/2008
