Our project is entitled ‘a meal with friends’, the idea behind this was to celebrate diversity within our school community and build the confidence of our students to create something that they felt proud of by creating bronze sculptures.
Our students took part in workshops with Alice Ewing. Myself and my colleague (Sian Roxburgh, Head of Art) prepared our students before the first workshop with the aims of the project and allowed students to create moodboards of foods that they enjoy in their cultures.
Workshop 1 involved the students working with clay and being able to mould and sculpt dishes that are special to them.
Workshop 2 consisted of the students then creating some dishes collaboratively in wax which were then used by the artist to create moulds.
Workshop 3 was a visit to Alice’s foundry where she demonstrated to the students how she creates the bronze sculptures. The students were able to watch the process and were able to see their sculptures revealed. Alice also showed them pieces that she has created and students were able to ask questions about the process and Alice’s career.
The final part of the project was an unveiling at school. The bronze sculptures were attached to a picnic bench in the playground. The Mayor came to see the sculptures and to congratulate the students on their hard work. The students were able to articulate to the Mayor the importance of the sculptures and how they had worked together to create these.
19 Year 7 and Year 8 students took part. The benefit is school wide and, hopefully, for years to come as the bronze sculptures will act as a talking point for students to respectfully discuss their cultures
