YOUNG ARTS 2006

The fourth bi-ennial Farnham Schools Art Exhibition took place from 29th September – 7th October, organised by the Young Arts team of Farnham DFAS.  Held once again in the prestigious galleries of Farnham's University College for the Creative Arts it drew large numbers of the general public, and around 350 school children came with their teachers, using the exhibition as a teaching resource.

Studies of van Gogh, Picasso, Kandinsky and Cezanne were in evidence, and there were themes such as reproduction, optics, waveforms and self-portraiture and explorations made with sculpture in clay, paper, cardboard and metal as well as in photography, printing, relief painting, collage and montage.  In many cases these were supplemented with large sketch books filled with drawings, photographs and research notes.

The reviewer of the exhibition wrote: "The colour, the wide variety of subjects and styles, the indicators all over the walls, banners and stands of so many innovative and imaginative ideas and projects with art really is a joy to perceive.  It is reassuring that we have art teachers in our local schools able to inspire and encourage their young students to produce such work, and clearly enjoy doing it."

Farnham Schools Art Exhibition Prize-Winners Workshop

The Farnham Decorative and Fine Arts Society Young Arts Group sponsored a one-day workshop on October 3rd for the prize winners of the Schools Art Exhibition. It took place in the James Hockey Gallery of the University College for the Creative Arts. Peter Rush, the well known Paper Sculptor inspired the young students, aged from eight to eighteen, to create a figure "expressing movement".

The morning session began with Peter giving the students an initial demonstration on the making of a sculpture using papier maché. Each student then made a framework with chicken wire on a base and shaped the papier maché around the frame. In the afternoon the figures were clothed in paper outfits and painted.

Under Peter Rush's gentle and skilful guidance amazing and original figures emerged. The experience was both enjoyable and worthwhile. All were grateful to have had this wonderful opportunity of working with Peter and he was given an enthusiastic vote of thanks. It was a workshop definitely worth repeating.