Thursday, June 16, 2011

Art Day

Our school does this great thing, each summer it has an Art Day. This year, since the original organiser retired, one of the mums in Olivia's class has taken over, and it seems to be going from Strength to Strength. The concept is simple but a lot of work: parents and friends of parents/the school/old pupils etc come in and offer their services. Project areas are set up and the kids spend the day roving round trying their hand at things.

This year there were, among other things, mosaic, pottery, sugar work, fake wound makeup (that was so ghastly! Like a school bus load of crash survivors!), bunting making, sculpting, chalk art on the ground outside, sand sculpture (I think), tye dying, glass painting, bead jewellery, the list goes on.

Olivia was disappointed that I couldn't go, as I had to work, but I ended up being sent home early, so I popped in for the last bit of sugar work. I found Olivia painting her flag (all the bunting will be used for decoration for the school's 30th anniversary next year). She was splattered in clay splashes and red paint, and she showed me the beautiful bit of glass painting she'd done for her dad for Father's Day. She did some sugar work and made a pot too. The mum supervising glass painting said she'd been brilliant, and gave me that meaningful "very impressive, I really mean it look" from under her eyebrows.

I know what she means though. When she settles down to work Olivia is enthusiastic, smart, quick and concentrated - and creative and efficient in what she does. I'm so proud of her!

I wish school could somehow work the same way art day does every day, it's so positive and engaging and all inclusive.

5 comments:

morgor said...

Sounds like the opposite of sports day...

Jo said...

Well, that's the idea, yes. Best thing ever.

Mwa said...

Morgor stole my comment.

Janine Ashbless said...

Oh, good for her!

catherine said...

Go Olivia ! sounds perfect ..for our more creative offspring..my guy would get an Olympic gold if Lego was a sport :)