Schools Exploring with Art

Friday 22nd June...
The final day with St Peters' school saw the children designing and creating colourful, tactile covers for their books, and adding further layers of text, materials and imagery to the pages inside, continuing to reflect on their experiences along the river bank. Its been great to work with such an engaged, enthusiastic group of young people.





Thursday 21st June...
After braving the rain, and saving a young jackdaw from drowning, we wandered the banks of the Kennet through the town, to discuss the riverbank restoration, and for the children to document their individual interests, thoughts and feelings about the condition of the river, and its wildlife.
Each child combined photography, drawing, writing, rubbings and found objects in their books to create beautifully rich and vibrant records of their visit.


Tuesday 19th June....
A great session at St Peters today, with enthusiastic children and staff all round. Some great books have been made, ready to be filled with the children impressions and thoughts of the river, later this week.






Monday 18th June....
Tomorrow sees the start of the schools workshops with a session at St Peter's school. Designed to tie in with the schools' own curriculum and the aims of 'Reclaim the River' we will be designing and creating sketchbooks from a range of recycled materials that the children can use to document their explorations of the river later this week.
All of the projects have been designed in partnership with the individual schools and set up to enable the children to explore the river corridor and reflect on their experiences in a creative way.... with river-themed wearable sculptures at Preshute and tactile multi-sensory works from clay and found materials with St Mary's.

STOP PRESS Find out about Reclaim Our River Events

Reclaim Our River project has being given a major promotional opportunity by being included in the fist 'More To Do In Marlborough' events guide.

8,000 of the brochure are being printed as I type and following this link with give you a sneek preview of whats to come;

http://www.riverbank.org.uk/cms/assets/more%20to%20do%20in%20marlborough%202007.pdf

The brochure is an extension of the exisiting Kennet Valley Arts Trust bi-annual newsletter with the wider idea of promoting all that is going in Marlborough in the coming months.

The brochure was sourced by Mora Abell and Sarah Townsend Rose, designed and edited by Louisa Davison for Secret Agent Marketing. Thanks to funding from KVAT, People's Millions Lottery and local companies and Noel Shuttleworth and an anonymous donor. whose generous sponsorship made the brochure come to life!

Hello everyone,
I loved the open river walk on Sunday and managed to draw for a couple of hours. I had wanted to draw this particular scene since last years walk and the weather was perfect for it. I have done several drawings of the river at various points and must say that few places can rival the beauty of such a quinisentialy English landscape. The intimate and personal scale of the valley with its mix of domestic,farming and sporting use along with the blending of natural and man managed habitat make it a miniature jewel. It constantly surprises as each bend unfolds from tranquil countryside to powerful current. I hope I will be able to sit and draw this beautiful place for many more years.

Bill

Decline plastic bags whenever possible.

Six tips from the experts.

1. Smile and say no.

2. Body language.

Stand up straight. Shoulders back. Chest out. Standing strong and firm puts you on even eye level and creates a psychological advantage. The first one who blinks is a loser.

3. Interrupt.

Try: “I’m really sorry; I’m going to have to interrupt you. I won’t be needing a plastic bag thank you very much.”

4. Pre-empt.

“Hi there! You’re going to ask me if I want a plastic bag aren’t you? Well, it’s ok, because I don’t.”

5. Strike early.

Say it loud and say it proud. “I need to let everyone know that I don’t want to use a plastic bag. They take 500 years to biodegrade.”

6. Give your reasons.

“Plastic bags are yesterday’s news.”

“The plastic bag is dead.”

“Plastic bags make trees look messy.”

To find out more visit us at www.wearewhatwedo.org and check out the poster at http://www.wearewhatwedo.org/downloads/downloads/WAWWD-shop-wars-poster.pdf

Local Community Artist - James Aldridge

James Aldridge, resident of Figgins Lane, and community artist has been engaged with Kennet Valley Arts Trust to design and deliver a series of creative workshops with the children of local schools - St. Mary's, St. Peter's and Preshute, Manton

If you want sneek preview of the work he creates with other groups and in his own right as an artist please take a look at his website http://www.jamesaldridge-artist.co.uk/

James will be at the exhibition of the children's work 14th July 2007 11am-3pm at St. Peter's School Dance and Drama studio.

Thanks to St.Peter's School for the in-kind use of the studio.

ARK River Walk 10th June 2-5.pm

ARK River walk 10th June 2007 from 2pm until 5pm, starting at Elcot Lane in Marlborough. Teas will be served half way. Come and join us!

See more details via the link below

http://www.riverkennet.org/events.htm

Local artist Bill Cox invited to share his visions

Following on from Bill's enquiry about being part of the Festival it turns out that Bill is away for that weekend.

Reclaim Our River have invited Bill to share his artwork with us via the blog - he often takes inspiration from the River Kennet - which is very much at the heart of this project.

We hope that you enjoy seeing and appreciating Bill's vision via the blog. We encourage you to add your thoughts and feedback.

For those you joining ARK for their river walk this Sunday 10th June Bill plans to be there.