Carlton Junior & Infant School
I visited Carlton Junior & Infant school for three day workshops during the Winter and Spring Term
Y2 Painting workshop
Students produced collaborative painted cardboard sculptures, inspired by both the Neo- Plasticism style paintings of Mondrian and the printed wooden artworks of Sam Groom printmaker.
Developing a range of skills in painting including using poster paint and mark making tools to create interesting patterns and textures in the paint. Students developed a further understanding of the colour wheel and complimentary colours, Students developed their knowledge of the artist Piet Mondrian.
Y4 Painting workshop
Students worked onto paper prepared with a graded wash to produce a watercolour painting from observation of natural forms using a selection of simple mark making tools.
Developing a range of skills in painting from observation, including using watercolour paint and mark making tools to create interesting washes of paint, also marks, lines, shapes and textures. Students developed a further understanding of the colour wheel and complimentary colours, Students developed their knowledge of the artist Paul Klee.
Starter activity – working onto card students took a pencil line ‘for a walk’ and then applied watercolour paint using primary, secondary and tertiary colours.
Y5 Collage workshop
Students produced an ‘abstract’ collage which collaboratively became part of a larger figurative collage art work. The theme was inspired by a local historic building the children had studied as part of their local history project. References to other artists artwork as well as links to my own collage practice were made throughout the workshop.
Can you explain your reasons for originally booking me to visit your school?
We were looking for an artist to visit school to work with three year groups. We came across your website and had a read about the kind of art you did and workshops you ran. We felt you had the enthusiasm, knowledge and experience that we were looking for.
Did you have any concerns about the workshop prior to my visits (for example time factor, relevance, pupil engagement)?
Organisation of time and resources were a concern. I was hoping we would have everything you would need to complete the workshops. As budgets are limited, we hoped to keep the cost of resources down which you really helped with when resourcing card etc where you could, which we really appreciated. I was also concerned regarding the timings and if you would have enough time to complete a successful workshop with each class. However, I feel that all three workshops went really well and the children gained a lot from them.
What challenges does your school have when it comes to organising art activities with the children?
Timetables are very full already and school is a very busy place so organising additional art activities can be a challenge. Also, staff knowledge can be limited in art and therefore running additional art activities can be difficult.
Did my workshops help solve some of these challenges? Can you give any specific examples?
As you are a talented artist and have lots of experience running art workshops you were able to provide lots of exciting ideas for workshops that linked well to the work that was already being covered in school. Helping to develop and build on the skills the children were learning in their art lessons.
Could you describe any aspects of the activities you thought were particularly successful and why?
All activities linked well to our Scheme of work. The activities planned were engaging and pitched at the correct level for the children. Teachers commented that the activities helped the children to develop the skills further in painting and collage.
What would you say was the impact of my visit on the students and teachers with whom I worked?
Staff were impressed that SEN children were focused and able to access the learning and lower ability children were expressing themselves. Staff also commented that the children loved to see your own work and it helped them understand more about being an artist. The workshops helped to excite the children and further develop a love for art.
Do you have any other comments?
Thank you for working closely with us to create workshops that linked to our Scheme of Work.
Alaina Giles – Art Lead , Carlton J & I School, South Elmsall.
