Young Artists have been ‘Exploring Colour’ with Atelier East in after-school sessions across Fenland. Pupils from Thomas Clarkson Community College and Westwood, Friday Bridge and Manea Primary schools have investigated the theme in many ways and developed new knowledge about the use of colour and what it means to them.

In the Primary School’s Young Artists worked on individual pieces as well as large collaborative collages created from a mixture of their favourite colours and colours they had mixed. Using artists such as Paul Klee and Gustav Klimt for inspiration the Young Artists all painted an abstract painting which they then cut into small squares to create a colour block collage.  The collages were displayed at an exhibition at each school and then cut into sections so that all of the Young Artists could take away a piece of the installation.

At Thomas Clarkson Community College there was a great deal of investigation and experimentation. Ben made an interactive clay model inspired by the Rubiks Cube, whilst Mathew (see top of post) took his inspiration from the work of local artist Neville Palmer, mixing individual colours and using the square as the fundamental form.

Again we received lots of lovely feedback from the Young Artists and their families… thank you all!

We work on different art projects with the Young Artists to increase awareness, encourage creativity, develop the ability to express ideas and feelings….and to have fun!

At our after-school Creative Club sessions we work to themes, usually set by the Young Artists themselves, and learn about new subjects, experiment with a variety of materials and ideas, work together to produce work as a collective and singly, and share our ideas with others. At the end of the project we often host a mini exhibition at the school where the Young Artists can share their work with their family, friends and others.

Working with Atelier East the Young Artists currently meet for Creative Club in these locations:

Friday Bridge Primary School.
Manea Primary School.
Wisbech St Mary CE Primary School.
Westwood Primary School, March.
Thomas Clarkson Community College.

Please have a look at the individual Young Artists projects to find out more.

We had a really fun half term doing all sorts of lovely things across Fenland with Fenland District Council. Here are a few images from the workshops in Benwick, Manea and Wimblington… enjoy!

A new project is being piloted in Wisbech by Fenland District Council designed to encourage children to be more ambitious in thinking about their futures. We visited Friday Bridge and Elm Road Primary Schools to find out what some of the children would like to be when they grow up. We didn’t meet any budding astronauts or train drivers (much to our disappointment!) but we did meet future fashion designers, singers (one who started off as a vicar!), footballers, builders, policemen, animal rescuers, a good measure of artists, a street dancer and a diving instructor who also makes toys! (Plus a brilliant job which you will have to scroll down for!)

So, what do you want to be when you grow up? Well, maybe you’d like to be an artist, social worker or a footballer?

Or, what about this popular career path… professional vampire!

Atelier East’s Karen Harvey has been working with London based Plan Projects to develop an Area Cultural Strategy for Trumpington Meadows in Cambridge. Its been an exciting project with lots of community consultancy, interviews and research… and an afternoon with the wonderful Fawcett School Council… all seventeen of them! The group were encouraged to create ‘treasure maps’ of the existing local cultural and community assets, and the ones they would like to see developed… bring on the chocolate factory!

It’s not everyday we get interviewed for a double-page feature in a daily newspaper with a circulation of approximately 20,000… so we thought we ought to share this with you! Feature Writer Hannah Gray from Peterborough’s Evening Telegraph is really interested in the development of young people’s skills through creative practice, and we are really grateful that she recognised what we are doing as being worth writing about! (If you are reading this Hannah- THANK YOU!) Click here to read the article, and feel free to add your views by leaving a comment!

We recently told you about a yummy scrummy project we worked on in Spalding to brighten up a boring building site with some lovely local food inspired images (click here if you need a reminder!). Well we were delighted to hear that the artwork has been unveiled and everyone is really happy with the way it looks! Good stuff!

“I am pleased to tell you that the hoardings have now gone up in Red Lion Street and the schools are very pleased with the results. Thanks for all your work, I’m sure you will agree the hoardings look fantastic.”
Rachel Rowett, Arts Development Officer, South Holland District Council

For some time now we have been working with a lovely group of adults at the Oasis Centre in Wisbech on Arty Crafty projects. Our aim has been to help them to develop new skills and build their confidence so that they can go off and share the ideas with their children and grandchildren. The sessions have been really well received and we hope that we will be able to carry on working with the lovely ladies (and gentleman!) who we have got to know over the past few months.

Here are a few images from our last session, and some lovely feedback too!

I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was inspired to do the things I learnt at home – GR

I have been able to teach my little girl and have fun with her on new things we can do together PB

I have learnt new crafts using modern materials and will be able to re-use the skills I learned  – SM

Good fun at the same time as learning! - MB

I very much enjoyed the group, I enjoyed the friendship and to be able to learn something new. The tutors were very friendly and patient. I would therefore like to see the group carry on in the future – BS

I’ve been able to teach my grandchildren new skills in arts and crafts – WM

I enjoyed learning to make things out of everyday stuff – KB

The classes I have attended have been great and I have taken away some good ideas that I can share with my friends at our Tuesday club. I have met some new friends and look forward to coming every week - JC

This has helped us a lot and I have been able to meet people through it, we’ve even got Age Concern to join in! I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve done. I like the mixture of things, it made me remember things I’ve done in the past. I’ve been able to pass on the ideas – PF

We have found the craft sessions very interesting and useful and have been able to pass on the skills to a group that meets here on a different day. Some of our members have been very pleased with the things that they have made.
Olive painted a plate and then used it at home to have her cake at tea time. Barbara’s husband was very touched with the mug that she decorated for him. This week we have painted or stenciled bags and more than one lady said it was surprising what you could do when shown. – Cheryl Payne, Assistant Organiser, Age Concern

Atelier East will be working with Fenland District Council and Wisbech and Fenland Museum from Saturday 17th April. We will be delivering creative, fun and inspiring session every Saturday and we hope to see lots of Young Artists there! To find out more drop us an email or contact Hetty Thornton at Fenland District Council… or just pop into the Museum to sign up!

A group of Year 7 pupils from Thomas Clarkson Community College in Wisbech have been working on a creative art project around the theme of ‘The Environment’. The Young Artists worked with Atelier East at the regular after-school sessions to create a series of postcards and a large, thought provoking painting.

The theme was open to interpretation and it provoked many different responses. Callum and Luke chose to create a large-scale painting about the way they feel humans mistreat the world around them, whilst Ben chose to create postcards relating to animal testing, personifying the animals and giving them a voice.

‘We wanted to tell people about all the bad things that go on in our world so we made this painting, ‘ said Callum who has been attending sessions with Atelier East artists since he was in Year 5!