Rivers of the World Is an
international art and education project delivered in partnership with the
Brisish Council connecting pupils around the globe to their local river through
a variety of environmental, cultural and economic themes. Since 2005 Rivers of
the World has been delivered in thirty countries around the world. This year I
was chosen to run a pilot scheme in October 2018 with six Primary Schools in
Worcestershire for half a day per school. The main program artists worked with
Secondary Schools and had 2 and a half days to work in their chosen schools. Their end goal was to create digital
artworks with the groups from the material generated by the pupils. My end goal
was to create artworks with children in years 2 to 6 that spoke of the flora,
fauna, industry and history of the rivers Severne and Avon which could form
part of an exhibition at The Hive in November 2018.
Autumn in the Malverns
May Queen apple - late eater, 1888
"LOOK! Look!, LOOK!" at Berrington Hall by
Too far to travel daily so I spent half my fee
staying in this gorgeous home from home
in the grounds of a 16th century farmhouse
complete with magical Bothy
oak tree with it's own, glazed fairy door
an out building I would have loved as a studio, and gardens
with plenty of free running space for the whippet,
and glorious sunsets at the end of the day.
Trial boats, later cut, sanded and drilled by my right hand man and Dad!
The children at Martley, Northwick, Northleigh and St Mary's, Broadway were asked to imagine the boat was painted with what could be seen on, in or around their river. e used artist quality acrylic paints and good brushes in a variety of sizes. Many were surprised at the beauty of the patterns painted and the control demonstrated. Like me, the children were able to imagine the boat was real, theirs and part of the river. We also used press print to print individual images, following our theme, on each side of the sail. As we only had a very short session at Northleigh, the children adorned their sails with gold, silver and bronze paper oak leaves.
Collagraph prints made by children at Ombersley Endowed School inspired by fish and insects and based on a pottery shape adapted from Royal Worcester Pottery vases.
Pupils at Chadsgrove School took a bold, lively
approach to nature seen on and by the river
and once again the shape of their vases were
inspired by royal Worcester pottery which had
works very close to the River Severne.
The exhibition at The Hive
The Thames River Festival Director, Adrian Evans was
blown away by the quality of the work produced.
Many thanks to Kate Forde, Head of Education and Engagement
and Elaine Knight, Arts Director of Severne Arts,
both of whom supported me brilliantly throughout.
The artists and work made with the Secondary Schools
in the main Rivers of the World project in Worcestershire
