Stories behind the School’s Silks

So does art really offer a therapeutic release? If you came to Brownhill Learning Community last week you may have thought so.

Brownhill is a small specialist school, based across three sites in Rochdale. It works with pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties. According to the school’s mission statement Brownhill:

‘Tolerates a wide variety of behaviours (but does not accept them as inevitable and unchangeable)’

And yes, there may have been secure fencing, there may have been aggressive outburst from beyond the art room walls, some disgruntled looks as the lads entered the room. But once inside pupils participated and produced some amazing silk painting.

Last month pupils across each learning site explored themes of UNICEF’s ‘Rights and Responsibilities’, and they animatedly illustrated the conventions. From
dripping clean water taps to secure and safe housing, the charter was brought to life through their considered depictions. I had the daunting task of sieving through the images, selecting pictures to draw onto six delicate silks.

And last week we brought the simple silks to life, they simply bound with colour and texture! Each fragment of the silken canvas’ painted with such care and consideration it makes Michael Angelo look like a cow boy decorator!

So don’t just mar each ‘bad lad’ you see hanging round the street corner with the same brush, he might just be a dedicated artist committed to creating some sensational silks...

Six Splendid Silks

Splendid! Surely it’s the only way to describe such a sensation week at Holy Trinity Primary School in Littleborough. Nowhere else would you see such super children, such dedicated designers, such enthusiastic artists, such a happy facilitator.

As the sky finally allowed the sun to break through, and bright daffodils crept through thawing ground, I walked to work with a spring in my step, creating six splendid silks with the eager pupils. Having drawn up their designs over half term I enjoyed working with children across the school to create silks which shine brightly with creative care and attention.

Before half term pupils of Holy Trinity designed the beautiful silk banners to illustrate each season of the church’s calendar. From Advent to the Epiphany, Lent to Easter each season was brought to life through the pupils’ animated designs.

Over three days the pupils selected gracious shades to sweep across the silk learning how to blend, mix and merge inks across the delicate silks. Only such avid care and attention could result in such truly inspiring banners which illustrate the liturgical calendar.

Kean to enhance the intricate banners I then enjoyed sewing the silks onto backing material ready to hang in time for the next church celebration, Lent.

And the only downside of the project? Handing back the beautiful banners to the school! Thanks to all the gifted children who took part, their church service will shine all year round.