Pocklington School Art teachers L to R: Dan Cimmermann, Clare Swann, Nicky Robertson, Claire Castle

Arts teachers in the spotlight at East Yorkshire Open Studio

Four Art teachers at Pocklington School are exhibiting their work in the East Yorkshire Open Studios this month 

Posted by Stephanie Broad | October 15, 2016 | Teaching

• #pocklington-school
• #east-yorkshire-open-studios
• #teachers
• #dan-cimmermann
• #clare-swann
• #sarah-green
• #claire-castle
• #art-and-design

Head of Art Dan Cimmermann, teacher and the School’s designated safeguarding lead Clare Swann, Prep School teacher Sarah Green and teacher and technician Claire Castle enjoy producing art for public display, and say their success spurs on their students too.                                                                                 

Their work will be exhibited in Pocklington School's Music Hall on Sunday October 9th and 16th, from 10am until 5pm, as part of an annual showcase of local artists' work at 68 venues across the region.  

Dan Cimmermann says, "It's always good to be involved in local open studios events, because there is an impressive diversity of local talent and we think we have something to contribute to the range of visual arts that will be on show.     

"As teachers, it also helps students see there is public and commercial value in creative vision. They see that we practice what we teach, which leads to a shared empathy and enthusiasm." 

The creative buzz around the Art Department is set to be further enhanced by a new £2.5 million Art and Design Technology Centre to further inspire students to produce art and design work. Work to construct the new Centre is already underway. 

Dan, who produces oil paintings, etchings and collages, created a painting as part of an art wall at the celebrated Bushwick Arts District in Brooklyn, New York, this summer. "It was an amazing experience and the reaction from local people was fantastic," he says.   

Sarah Green, who has taught in the Pocklington Prep and Senior Schools for 15 years, also produces painting and mixed-media work, which she has sold via exhibitions, commissions, Facebook and online galleries.

Claire Castle uses mixed media to create wearable pieces of jewellery. She paints on plastic, adding metals and stones to create charming one-off pieces which combine imagery from wildlife and folk art with vintage patterns and prints. 

Clare Swann, who is also a regular exhibitor of lino prints, takes inspiration from everyday subject matters – from garden birds and vegetables to vintage cups and saucers.  

She says, "The fact I draw from familiar objects shows our pupils that they too can be creatively enthused by the things around them. It's how you look at the world that makes the difference."  

It is hoped Pocklington School's new Art and Design Technology Centre will continue to help drive the region's great tradition of innovation, led by creative, collaborative and entrepreneurial thinkers who will continue to inspire and be inspired.