Artistic talents of local children to be celebrated

The old Town Hall in Bourne will open its doors for the second time next month to welcome the public to view and celebrate the artistic talents of school children.

Children from local schools, Bourne Westfield Primary Academy, Bourne Abbey Church of England Academy, Edenham C of E Primary School, Elsea Park Church of England Primary Academy, Morton C of E Primary School, Bourne Academy, Bourne Grammar, The Willoughby School, and Stamford College along with schools in Leicester, Liverpool and London, have all worked with Helen Graham, a local practising artist to produce work which will form an installation entitled ‘Hopes and Dreams’.

After the success last year of Bourne’s first ever collaborative schools arts installation ‘Rebirth’ Helen, who has a wealth of experience with large scale installations and community art projects wanted to create an installation which gave a voice to children’s future dreams.

Helen had a vision of using art to send a clear message to the influencers of education, that the creative arts have a powerful part to play in our children’s ability to fulfil their ambitions.

The interactive installation will be on show at the UAL Camberwell Gallery, London from June 19 to 24 before making its way to

Bourne on July 21 and 22.

Helen has worked with local teachers and children to produce an installation that involves over 10,000 letters by children to their future selves.

The children were asked to think about what they wanted to be when they grew up, and how the creative arts could develop and nurture the skills

needed within these roles.

Along with Helen the project has been directed by Rebecca Beavis, arts director at Bourne Westfield Primary Academy and has been organised in collaboration with the Town Hall Charity committee.

The installation will be housed in the old court room, and there will be a variety of art work on display by all of the participating schools.

Visitors to the exhibition will be invited to leave their feedback on a working wall, and be able to see a photographic journey of the installation as

well as add to the installation with their own letter.

Following an official opening of the Installation on Wednesday, July 19, which will be attended by a representative from each school, local dignitaries, and project partners, Stamford’s newly elected Poet Laureate will be attending the event to announce the winners of a schools poetry competition that will run alongside the Art Installation.

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