Community Arts Event 2010

Click the thumbnails below to view photographs of the event

ECAM took part in their 5th collaborative Visual Arts project at the Education Development Centre in Rushall.
Following on from the previous ECAM project –‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’, this project developed an extended opportunity for students and their families to learn ‘Beyond the Classroom’. Student Voice identified a need to invite students and their families, to view their Artwork which would form part of a Community Arts Event, which took place on the 12th May in the Main Hall of the Education Development Centre, Pelsall Lane in Rushall.
Students and their families had opportunity to view photographs of the project in progress, watch a short film about the project on a large screen, view the large 8ft by 4ft Murals created by the students and take part in a creative activity which invites students and their families to ‘Learn Beyond the Classroom’. Art teachers from Aldridge Science College, Streetly Sports College, St Francis of Assisi CTC and Barr Beacon Language College also displayed examples of artwork by former GCSE Art students in order to inform students and their parents regarding the standards and expectations of the GCSE art courses at the different schools.
The event was well attended by parents and their children and gave them direct access to work with the artist which embed practical skills and brought learning to life by bringing families together through the visual arts. The event was also attended by two head teachers, David Mountney from Aldridge Science College and William Downie from Streetly Sports College. My Mountney commented ‘ It was an excellent evening, and night to be proud of’.
ECAM chair and Teaching and Learning Consultant Ian K. Preston stated ‘It was fantastic to see families working together and taking an active interest in our young people. This has embed positive attitudes towards creativity and developed the aspirations of children in Walsall’.
Rena Saggu the Gifted and Talented Creative Arts Manager commented ‘It was a great opportunity for parents and young people to enjoy, learn and celebrate an evening of creativity’.
Due to the success of this venture, it is hoped that more events similar to this one, will be planned for the future, with an emphasis on bonding families together through creativity, giving a chance for all to ‘Learn Beyond the Classroom’