Workshops for Schools
I am a qualified teacher with lots of experience of running successful art workshops and projects in schools with children of all ages. Art can be a very daunting subject to non-specialist teacher. Confidently leading activities, such as printing and sculpture for example, requires excellent understanding of how each art form works, the materials and equipment required and knowledge of all the things that ensure children enjoy the experience of making art as well as creating an effective outcome. Developing this expertise has taken me many years and I am very keen to share it with your school, children and teachers so that you don’t have to make all the same trial and errors I did!
What I can offer your school
- I can run workshops on a wide range of art forms including printing, nature journalling, cardboard sculpture, clay, batik and other textile art.
- My workshops can be tailored to meet the needs of your school and curriculum and I would meet with you before hand to ensure that the workshop integrated well rather than being an ‘add-on’.
- Workshops could be a half-day or day in school or a longer-term project over a half term, term or year.
- I am confident leading whole class or smaller group sessions. I could also lead workshops with a carousel approach for a number of classes at once.
- I can provide materials and equipment or work with what you have in school to keep costs down.
- During workshops I model techniques not only to the children but also to teachers making them excellent CPD and giving the school a sustainable way to deliver art.
Printmaking
Printing is a fantastic art form which children can enjoy right from EYFS. There is nothing quite like that moment when you peel the paper from the plate to see the printed image – I still find it magical and children I work with always do too!
During my workshops I introduce children to the materials and appropriate techniques used to create successful prints. This might include:
- Simple block printing using found objects
- Mono-printing
- ‘Lino’ printing using polystyrene
- Creating patterns using hand-made rubber stamps
- Basic etching and pasta-machine printing!
I can tailor this to fit your current topic and provide lots of inspirational ideas.
Textile Art
Textile design and weaving are both really engaging art and design activities. Batik is a wax-resist method of textile design which can be difficult to run n the classroom due to the need for melted wax! Over time I have developed a method using glue which takes less time and produces really effective results.
A half-day workshop for one class might include a carousel of activities including:
- Learning to weave using a simple hand-held loom
- Creating radial weaving patterns
- Painting on fabric
- Learning about wax resist methods and artist who have used this approach
- Creating a wax resist flag or a class set of bunting.
Nature Journaling and natural art
Nature and the natural world is a huge inspiration in my own art and I am always very keen to share this with children. Looking closely and appreciating the natural world not only supports the science curriculum but also children’s well-being.
A half-day workshop might focus on:
- a nature walk in the local surroundings, already planned and risk-assessed.
- close observational drawing and painting of natural objects using a range of materials including watercolour.
- creation of symmetrical land art using natural objects
- learning about artists who have used this approach.
Nature journalling is a fantastic way to learn about and appreciate the changing seasons. I can offer on-going workshops over the year to support children to learn about and chart the changes. Learn more about the 52 Week Project for Schools here.
Cardboard Sculpture
I love using recycled materials with children and have lots of techniques to share which will enable them to sustainably create very effective 3D artwork using cardboard.
There are many possibilities for cardboard sculpture which can fit into pretty much every topic and scale. Examples I love inlcude:
- mask-making
- making props for a production
- fossil making
But the possibilities are endless!
Clay relief tiles
Working with clay is great fun but can be messy and difficult to manage in the classroom.
I can support teachers by planning a workshop linked to an area of the curriculum to create an effective clay relief tile. These look amazing displayed together and the possibilities are limitless:
- Architecture
- Scenes from stories
- Natural world
- Faces/ portraits
Digital Art
What the children think about my workshops
“I loved that I got to do lots of different drawings and try different things.”
Harriet, Year 3
“Thank you for helping me. I like the tasks you get us doing!”
Sarah, Year 4
“You are an amazing artist Jenny! I have enjoyed everything!”
Charlotte, Year 5
