In early October, we ran two CPD sessions for state school Art co-ordinators and Art teachers at The Higgins Bedford. The sessions are delivered as part of our biennial Art Competition and aim to provide staff with a carousel of ideas and techniques using store cupboard equipment and wherever possible, foraged natural materials.
The sessions were delivered by 3 local working artists, including our very own Katie Allen who works part time at Bedford School, and former employee Anne-Marie Abbatt. They were also joined by Sophie Bennett. All three are highly respected working artists. 15 members of staff from state schools attended each session and they were able to experiment with printmaking, weaving and collaborative painting.
The feedback we get from these sessions is incredibly positive. The schools see it as a valuable part of the art project and some told us that it was the most therapeutic inset they had ever had.
The workshops within schools are also now underway. Anne-Marie, Katie, Susan Erskine-Jones, Tiffany Logan and Amanda Silk are all currently heading out to 31 local schools to deliver 3 hour sessions to pupils to support the competition. We will be sharing some of the photos on our social media channels and here on the website, so watch this space.