As service providers for Artswork, Chapel Arts Studios (CAS) are involved in recruiting Andover schools to the nationally recognised Artsmark programme. Thanks to project co-ordinator David Dixon this 'Wider Reach' project has dramatically increased the level of CAS involvement with Test Valley Schools. We have been working with 5 new schools, and providing 5 CAS artists with paid work.
Clatford C of E with David Dixon
| This school SIP had literacy requirements, so we have worked with 4 year groups making zines: (self published magazines). Years 5 and 6 spent 2 days with David, learning the techniques to create newspapers, comics, journals, picture books, and all variations in-between. | |
They worked initially on their own zine, then as groups on collaborative ones. In the second week they taught years 3 and 4 all they had learned and we finished with a large exhibition in the school hall.
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Andover Primary with Donna Vokes
| Donna ran some sculptural and installation workshops with the pupils and staff. After building with geometric shapes cast from plaster moulds, they then transformed the school rooms by weaving bright coloured fabric through out the space. | |
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Portway Infants with Laurence Rushby
| Based upon a French childrens story, artist Laurence Rushby took staff and pupils on an exploratory journey into the woods. Taking teddy bear companions they shared the the experience and role-played their way though mud and the elements. |  |
It allowed the pupils to express themselves more freely than they were to used to, and accompanied by their bear, they felt braver and more adventurous. The workshops finished with 'selfies' being taken and postcard written home about their voyage, all combined to create an exhibition in the school.
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Portway Juniors with Tom Mortimer
| Portway Junior school also worked on making zines (self published magazines). Artist Tom Mortimer is experienced in this field and took the staff and pupils on a more in-depth trip into the world of design and self-publishing techniques. | |
 As well as using photocopy and collage for their work students were able to use a mini portrait studio Tom set up for them to operate themselves (after tuition / with guidance). Inspired by the pupils work Tom has been able to embed it into his own research and practice on his current MA course. The pupils work featured in the MA midterm exhibition at Winchester School of Art. |  A pupils self-portrait |
Normangate with Elle Ford
| Normangate is a special needs school and they set a very difficult brief for artist Elle, asking a lot more than would normally be feasible with the budget and timeline. However she rose to the challenge and delivered 5 projects to 5 classes, creating outdoor works that are all inspired by the Gruffalo story. | |
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Andover's Artswork Success Story
The Wider Reach project has already been extended in various ways due to successful delivery by the artists. These include:
Gaynor has asked Tom Mortimer and David Dixon to run zine workshops during their annual conference at the BFI in London in October.
Wider Reach has also been selected to feature in Artswork's new marketing film. The camera crew visited Portway Infants to record the last session delivered by Laurence, and Portway Juniors on the (adjacent site) to get feedback from the staff and pupils. Lead Artist David Dixon was interviewed for an overview. The film will be premiered at the BFI conference.
- School-funded extra contact days for artists,
- Involvement in other projects for the pupils,
- More workshop opportunities for the artists,
- Inclusion in Artswork marketing films, and
- Representation in national conferences.
Gaynor has asked Tom Mortimer and David Dixon to run zine workshops during their annual conference at the BFI in London in October.
Wider Reach has also been selected to feature in Artswork's new marketing film. The camera crew visited Portway Infants to record the last session delivered by Laurence, and Portway Juniors on the (adjacent site) to get feedback from the staff and pupils. Lead Artist David Dixon was interviewed for an overview. The film will be premiered at the BFI conference.
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