art@sidcot blog

The year 10 trip to London already feels a long time ago, although less than a week, we are packing so much in to each week. This weekend is Monkton, and then Parents, and the opening of the new Arts Centre, and before we know it, Christmas dances and meals!

London was brilliant - if a bit hairy at times. The circle line was closed - remind me to check next time - which made transport a challenge. 30 students on a platform already crowded solid, with the trains jammed to bursting even before arrival. Making sure that all the students were on, and then off again at the right stop, while not really knowing where we were heading due to the closures...

But it was a brilliant trip, and the year 10 artists were a really nice group to be with (until about 2.00 am, after that a little more sleep might have been welcome). The highlights for me were the wheelchairs at the Saatchi, the Mueck at the British Museum, and Rothko, who I managed to sneak into at the Tate Modern. By the time we got to the Tate Briatin most of us where exhausted, sitting in the main hall watching the athletes run past - exhibits in a work for the Turner Prize.

The department is gradually taking shape, with displays going up and boxes getting sorted. Still lots of work to do, but it is the most fantastic space.

This week's feature has without a doubt been the three piece suite that I found on 'freecycle' and installed in 'PInk's Painting Parlour'

I am not sure what a mortar boarded, caped, cane swinging teacher would make of this, but the idea is to create an environment were students want to be, an environment were work can go on, an exciting environment. And exciting it is. There was one day this week when the room was full of artists, all at work on their individual projects. easels everywhere, clay work, printmaking, oil painting, laptops. Brilliant.

A wig seemed to feature this week too. Again hats and wigs may not be traditional teaching aids, but for us it is about the ability to take on a different attitude when you come into the department, literally put on another hat, a creative hat. Creativity is what it is all about.

And the department really has been buzzing with creativity. Last Thursday we had a record 37 students in the Life drawing class, and some great printmaking going on. Our new teacher Cat is doing wonderful things in both these areas.

Today we are taking our year 10 students on a two day gallery tour of London. Another first for us, and overnight London trip.

And next weekend is the Monkton Wyld life drawing weekend, now pretty well fully subscribed, and always a great weekend.

Lots of work over half term to get moved, and a frustrating week of missing work and dysfunctional equipment, not to mention scooting around the upstairs on wheely computer chair come go carts... and workmen still finishing off the 'snagging'

But the new building is beautiful. And there is light! Lots and lots of light.

And we have been going through the tutorials this week. It is always good to look at the work that is being created. I am anticipating a great exhibition for the opening of the building at the end of this month.

Coming up next Friday and Saturday an overnight visit to London for the year 10 artists. We were planning a half day trip to Cardiff, but there is so much going on in London at the moment that I felt we just had to go! - Rothko at the Tate, Bacon at the other Tate, maybe a boat on the Thames between. Hirst, Mueck, Quinn and Gormley at the British Museum and the recently opened Saatchi gallery - not to mention experiencing Oxford street and Camden Lock. I am really looking forward to it.

And the following weekend is the Monkton Wyld Life drawing.

Exciting times ahead!

Talking of life drawing - the photo below is of last nights life drawing class, attended by a record 36 students.

Half term is reached! and over the holiday we move into our fantastic new facilities. Students have been champing at the bit this week to get a peek, and we have been champing at the bit to get moving. We cleared out the old dark room yesterday, sorting thought what will be moved. I think a great deal of sorting is going to be called for. One thing that art teachers do very well in my experience is collect, just in case whatever may one day be the raw materials for a masterpiece. What do we do with Van Gogh’s chair? Toulouse-Lautrec’s hat? And all the obsolete computer equipment, some dating back now to before our current students were born. That bit of grey plastic is the very first Apple Powermac, and it cost us a huge amount of money at the time...

Good bye to our temporary homes, almost unusable this week as we box and sort.

Lots of hard work over the coming week to do the actual move - but lots of hard work from students too I hope, with the first major tutorial of the year in the week of return - and in the new art department!

On the horizon, a very exciting overnight trip to London for year 10 artists, and the wonderful Monkton Wyld life drawing weekend.

The new buildings are almost done, almost handed over, and we are poised to move in. We took a group of parents on a tour on Friday evening, and the building is glorious. Very exciting. The lights come on as you enter a room, go off again as you leave, but not with a snap, with a gentle wax and wane. It feels almost a shame to defile these beautiful spaces with the clutter of the art studio...  but then again no, I can’t wait to get in and get started!

This week has been a sort of letting go of the old in preparation for the move. Getting stuff sorted, getting stuff into boxes. Labels for where the boxes are to go, and other perhaps more important labels with ‘skip’ written on them.

Students have been really getting into their projects this week I feel. Ben has been producing some spectacular work with autumn leaves, Tom has a photo of Ben Okofar published in the Cheddar Valley Gazette.

The printing, glass and life drawing activities are hugely well attended, as are the junior activities.

Half term looms - a week to go, a week of boxing up and moving. And straight after half term a full week of tutorials - tutorials for all!

A very busy and exciting week, not the average - with talks and activities, visitors and events. The wonderful Ben Okofar on Wednesday afternoon, an inspiring Quaker meeting on Friday, the Leaveners , friendship bracelets, pancakes and parachute games - to mention but a selection.

The Art department’s contribution to the week was art workshops for third form and lower fourth form groups inspired by an organisation called Pinwheels for Peace. I came across them on a recent visit to America - they encourage as many schools and groups as they can reach across the globe to create pinwheels, with thoughts and prayers for peace on one side, and illustrations on the other. The pinwheels are then planted and photographed, and the photo's uploaded to a website: http://www.pinwheelsforpeace.com/

This is supposed to happen on the 9th of September, as a sort of hands around the world - so we were a bit late, but our photos will be up on the site none the less.

And the pin wheels that Sidcot produced are beautiful. A very successful set of workshops ably abetted by our student teachers Natalie and Rachel.

Also this week a handful of sixth from students attended the first of a series of three art history lectures being given in Winscombe village hall by one time Sidcot art teacher, artist and very knowledgeable art historian David Cuthbert. A very interesting and comprehensive talk on the subject of the human form (in all it’s forms) in 20th century art.

And during all this the move into the new buildings starting, with clearing and moving 'stuff' from the containers on the yard, and the spectacular moving of Rory's wonderful driftwood horse, who we hope to restore so to take up a position in the entrance.

Coming up next week the first of our biannual visits from the art booksellers Pennies from Heaven. Cash at the ready for this grand Christmas present opportunity! Well, not to mention coursework opportunity, with L5th just starting on their new projects.

Week Five, and another trip - and a 1st for us. Possibly the biggest trip that we have ever taken in terms of numbers, with two 45 seat coaches, and the youngest students that we have taken to London, which is more usually a senior trip. But they behaved impeccably, and the trip was very successful. The V&A is an amazing collection. I was most impressed by a beautifully serene wooden Chinese carving of a Bodhisattva that some of the students were doing beautiful drawings of - a being that has reached the state of Nirvana, a god like state where they live forever. They are such good beings that they return to earth to help us mere mortals. This one, sitting very casually, with an arm across a knee and a calm and peaceful expression on his face is back on earth simply to listen to our problems, and to empathise.

Also this week the arrival of our two new UWE teacher trainee students, Natalie and Rachel, who were tipped straight into the trip - quite a baptism.

Thursday was a nightmare day, with all the computer systems in the art room crashing like a house of cards. It took me, with help from Tom and Cherry, the whole day to get them back up and running, and I still don't know what was wrong. It may have been the electrical storm that we had the night before, or even perhaps the road works that are happening down Sidcot lane. Whatever it was, there is now an unhappy sort of electrical squeak every time something is switched on or off in my room. I am so looking forward to being established in the new accommodation.

Next week is Quaker week, and we are looking forward to some Windmills for Peace workshops with year 7 and 8, and on Wednesday afternoon there is the now yearly treat of the Ben Okafor concert.

And, nothing to do with Quaker week, an art history lecture in Winscombe Community centre on Thursday evening, 7.45 to 9.30, given by ex Sidcot teacher David Cuthbert -  'Body Image' - to quote from his flyer - the modern artists’ take on the human figure. The talk will show the many ways that modern artists have depicted, decorated and rediscovered the human body. The talk will be divided into ‘chapters’ on the nude, the portrait, the imaginary and others; including slides of painting, sculpture, installations, performance and some photography.

I am really looking forward to that.

Week four and the ship is really sailing full sail - with our temporary art rooms jammed to the gunnels with artists. 35 students on the register for life drawing, and Glass Slumping, printmaking, digital media, and junior activities, all packed.

We bussed 6th form students to another couple of the Somerset Arts Week exhibitions, and some drawing at Cheddar reservoir, and on Saturday over 40 students on an art (and shopping) trip to the Arnolfini and the newly opened and spectacular Cabot Circus in Bristol. This week also saw the opening of Cat Knights MA exhibition in Bath - wonderful  - I am looking forward to the advent of our new gallery, and having space for exhibitions here.

There was so much going on this week that I was at a loss as to which image to upload, so I include the two from Saturday, but I could equally have included others -ani the goth or Cathy and the pink cake. I have updated the departmental snaps gallery - so you will need to head there to see them (artroom rossnapshots). Photos of the boundary walk also on display, under ‘Ross’s photos of school events’

On Monday a trip to the Victoria and Albert in London, and the largest number of students that we have taken to date I believe - with two 45 seat coaches booked.

Outside the Arnolfini

The New Cabot Circus shopping mall in Bristol - photos taken on my iPhone and stiched in CS4!

Week three and things getting going, with the start of activities and the first of our trips. The U4th trip to the wonderful Pallant House in Chichester, sadly with a delayed start because the bus was trapped in Fountain Lane by a parked car. The driver then decided to take us on the motorway route - via Swindon and Newbury... This meant that we missed the Cathedral. But the gallery itself made up for this with a fantastic exhibition by British pop artist Colin Self, a brilliant talk - lots of information about pop art. All in all a great start to the term. Wednesday and Thursday saw the first of our trips out to SAW (Somerset Arts Week) exhibitions, and we are gearing up to the huge (90 student) trip to the V&A on the 29th.

Meanwhile. back in school, with timetables sorted and lessons rolling, work is underway - cramped rather sinkless, but underway none the less. And all the time the passing of vehicles back and forth by my classroom windows heralding the near completion of the new arts centre. Lights on this week!

A week of settling dust - getting used to being back in school, getting used to a new timetable, introducing topics, handing out sketchbooks, finding our feet - and attempting to find everything else in the chaos of the misplaced art spaces. Getting the pieces of the jigsaw in place so that we can start in earnest next week with activities, trips, and of course art. I think that Cathy Pink has just about everything in her room except the kitchen sink... and the pottery is full without squeezing students in. But the new build is shining white - we saw a light on in the window this week for the first time, and we have been talking names - Sidcot Arts Centre - Mrs Millar's Moulding Mall - Mrs Pink's Painting Parlour..

Trips to the Somerset Arts Week exhibition all through next week, and the U4 trip to Pallant House on Tuesday - a full week ahead!

Start of Term, with all the fun of new timetables, new students, new facilities... well almost the latter. We were at one time hoping that we would be in our fantastic new department at the start of the term, but these things always seem to slip. The current timing is for a move at half term. In the mean time chaos - as Cathy Pink’s room has been turned into the toilets for the new block and both Jo Millar’s room and the store are crammed with stuff awaiting the move. We have even taken over the teaching block lobby.

But very exciting it is. I have been able to do various tours of the new arts block and I can tell you that it is amazing.

Plans are afoot for an opening in December, complete with an exhibition of current work, so all students should be busily working towards this. Also a celebrity opening in to coincide with the summer festival. Don’t hold your breath, but we have contacted Johnny Depp to see if he wouldn’t mind cutting the tape - he would certainly have the scissors experience!

We have also moved as many of the trips as we can to the start of this term so that we can be out of the cramped temporary accommodation as much as possible. With a dozen local 6th form trips arranged over the two weeks of the Somerset  Arts, the U4th trip to Pallant House in Chichester next Tuesday, and a huge two coach trip to London with 7, 8 and some 6th form on Monday the 29th.

The activity schedule will be fuller than ever, with glass slumping, digital, printmaking, and life drawing on a weekly basis, and some special events such as David Cuthbert’s Art History talks, the Monkton weekend and a drawing trip to Bristol. Keep an eye on the calendar!

And finally - a big big welcome to our new teacher, Cat Knight.

Last week of term! The wheel of the year turns another revolution.

This week past has been mainly consumed by the exhibition, taking it down, storing the work an getting the rooms back in order. And indeed, getting ready for the move into the new building, which is getting closer to completion.

After the titanic effort of the exhibition, we all feel very ready for a break, rejuvenation, some sun and a good book. Cathy can't wait to paint, I look forward to time in my workshop, Jo I am sure will be slumping some glass.

Roll on the holiday, when we can allow the wheel so slow a little.

What a week.

I think that I am officially allowed to say now that we have achieved Artsmark Gold. Many congratulations, especially to Jo Millar for all the work that she put in. This really is an achievement, an accolade. But absolutely deserved I feel, now that the exhibition is up, the very successful opening on Wednesday evening, I take the enthusiastic endorsements of visitors and staff, and pass them on to the pupils whose work it it, feeling very proud to be a part of this department and this school.

I am in the process now of photographing the show and getting it up onto the website - I trust that it will be there by next weeks blog.

Watch this space.

I can't believe that half term was last week, we seem to have been back for longer, there has been so much happening. The art exhibition is going up - creative pandemonium -  boards, staple guns, hammers and drills. Nathan has turned a corner of the temporary art room into a French cafe.

The A'level moderation is happening over the weekend, then another busy week to finish putting up the exhibition for the GCSE moderation and the grand opening of the show on Wednesday the 18th.

Meanwhile the groups that we would otherwise teach in the department have been dispatched elsewhere. Sarah Robertson, out student teacher, has been doing stirling work with students, overcoming the taxing circumstances and getting them to produce some great work.

And we have a new teacher for next year! The numbers choosing to take art next year are such that we can employ a fourth member of the team. We advertised for a day and a half of teaching, and were inundated with applications. The process of shortlisting, interviewing, and choosing was long and very difficult, there were so many possibilities. But we have chosen, and our new art teacher will be Catherine Knight, coming to us straight from a Masters degree in Fine Art, but previously artists in residence at Bootham School, one of the two Quaker schools in York. Congratulations to Catherine, and we thoroughly look forward to working alongside you in the new year.

A week of marking, and the GCSE is all done. One more week to half term!

The highlight of the week for me was the project being done by key stage three students. In order to clear the art rooms, able the marking to continue, and take our groups at the same time, I offered to run a one off three week project with all three key stage three years as whole year groups. The brief is to create a photo story that becomes a snap shot of life at Sidcot in 2008. This could  be about the school, about themselves, about current issues or fashions. The plan is that the best photo stories will be published and put into the time capsule that is to be buried during the festival weekend. The winning entry from each year group will get a prize, and be part of the burying team. The students are working in small teams - up to five students, out and about all over the campus, gardens and combe. Wednesdays sessions were simply brilliant. I asked the students to image being the students in 2108 who might be digging the capsule up. As a spin off, the best stories will also be posted on the CYAG (Connecting Children Around the Globe) site, that is a major focus for charity this year.