Children at St Benedict’s Junior School, Ealing, will see their artwork displayed in a summer exhibition at the National Gallery. Their creative talents have also been rewarded with an Artsmark Silver Award from Arts Council England.
St Benedict’s took part in the National Gallery’s ‘Take One Picture’ scheme, a creative partnership which promotes the visual arts across the curriculum. Each year, the gallery invites primary schools nationwide to focus on one of its paintings, selecting Pintoricchio’s Penelope with the Suitors this year. Children from St Benedict’s in Years 5 and 6 were inspired by the themes of the Greek myth behind it. Responding to Odysseus’ travels, and his encounters with different people and cultures, they constructed boats and staffs for Odysseus. They were excited to learn that their artwork has been chosen for the Take One Picture summer exhibition at the National Gallery. St Benedict’s is one of just 27 schools across the UK to be chosen for this display.
Arts Council England has also awarded St Benedict’s Junior School a Silver Artsmark award, for the quality of this artwork and in recognition of the school’s excellent arts provision in general – in music, dance and drama. The Artsmark panel praised St Benedict’s “commitment to arts and cultural education and the opportunities emerging across the school’s provision”, as well as the “diverse range of arts and cultural experiences” available at the school. St Benedict’s is now aiming for Gold next year, by providing even more artistic experiences and establishing further partnerships with cultural organisations.
Head of Art Christos Markou said, “Achieving the Silver Artsmark was an amazing reward, and an opportunity to develop different aspects of our arts provision.”
Headmaster of the Junior School at St Benedict’s Rob Simmons added, “The creative arts – art, dance, drama and music – contribute enormously to the rich tapestry of the educational experience at St Benedict’s. The National Gallery has provided wonderful opportunities for our pupils, something that we are most grateful for, and the children continue to benefit from the dedication and expertise of our teachers.”
Artsmark is the creative quality standard for schools, accredited by Arts Council England. Artsmark award is recognition for schools that are making the arts come alive and it is a practical and valuable tool for enriching a school’s arts provision.
The National Gallery’s Take One Picture exhibition can be seen until 12th August 2018 in the Sunley Room and is admission free.
For further info visit stbenedicts.org.uk.
