A busy first half of term for Shrewsbury's Art Department

Our Art Department have worked on some interesting creative projects during the first half of term, showcasing the artistic abilities of our pupils and helping students from other schools discover theirs. 

House Art: 

On Wednesday 18th October student and staff representatives from all houses came to the art school to take part in the annual house art competition.  

This year’s Big Draw theme is ‘DRAWING WITH THE SENSES’ so the challenge we set the contestants was to paint a circular 12in eye tondo in just 2 hours using their house colours. Students from Third Form to Upper Sixth participated and staff reps included teachers, housemasters and matrons.  

It was a great vibe, and everyone enjoyed getting their creativity flowing. Well done to everyone who took part!  

Results: 

Team performance – The Grove (Lyla W (LVI), Lucy B (IV) and Miss Hopkins 

Critic’s Choice – Erin C (M, UVI) 

People’s Choice – Henry H (O, LVI) 

• Overall Winner and Gold – Ruby W (QE, UVI) 
• Silver – Charlotte T (EDH, LVI) 
• Bronze – Sam W (I, UVI) 

Staff winners: 

• Gold ad Lifetime achievement award – Henry Exham (O) 
• Silver – Ian Haworth (MSH) 
• Bronze – Gill Bell (Rigg’s) 

Big Draw Art Outreach day 

On Thursday 19th October for field day the art faculty hosted three local primary schools from around Shrewsbury with a carousel of drawing stations based on the Big Draw 2023 ‘Drawing with the senses’ theme.  

Sight – blind contour drawings, touch – drawing with slime, smell – drawing with tea/coffee/fruit tea, taste – drawing with vegetables, hearing – drawing to musical soundscapes, and a final station drawing what is in the mind’s eye, manifesting the future using the 6th sense.   

The activities were led by Thursday afternoon Creative Arts activity students and they worked brilliantly leading and supporting young people in the activities.  

SVS letter sculptures 

The Art faculty also created an ambitious collaborative sculptural project with our creative arts Thursday group and the Shropshire Virtual School, working with young people in foster care.  

This was a huge project making four 4ft-high letter sculptures (thank you Mr Gabbitas!) to spell the word LOVE for the community group’s upcoming celebration event in Albrighton, and they will eventually be housed permanently in the local council Shirehall building.  

Inspired by the work of Morag Myerscough and Bob&Roberta Smith they will definitely brighten the place up with upbeat positive messages about school and family relationships, love and care.   

Lucy Caddel

Head of Art