Illuminating Imaginations @ Underley Garden

This lovely, annual event was once again, a huge success! Inviting parents and carers into our school to showcase the learners creativity and how we have been Illuminating imaginations is always a very special event.

This year we explored the theme ‘Celebrating Me’. The pupils enjoyed being creative in many different ways, making projects, following their learning, that represented them. 

Classes worked collaboratively to recreate Van Gogh’s Starry night. They divided the painting into four canvases, with each student focusing on a different corner. Learners experimented with acrylic paints, exploring texture, brush strokes, and colour blending to capture the movement and energy of the original painting. In addition to their canvas work, students extended their creativity onto a practical project by designing their own tote bags inspired by themselves and their personal interests in line with the ‘Celebrating me’ topic. They designed their tote bags and then used fabric pens and paints to transfer their original designs. 

Other classes completed work linked to the topic “It’s Good to be Me!”. They looked at portraits and art which represents themselves. They developed skills in drawing (using graded sketching pencils, looking at shade and tone) and used a range of other media including oil pastels, watercolour pencils and felt tips markers with different sized tips, all inspired by the work of Pablo Picasso (cubism), Jean-Michelle Basquiat (graffiti) and Andy Warhol (pop art). 

In addition, other classes expressed themselves through cross stitch, graffiti, life size body cut outs filled with images of their favourite things and miniature cardboard cut outs holding their favourite items. Learners also enjoyed using a variety of materials to create items they love such as hand dryers and 3D TV scenes. Many made ‘All about me books’ filled with images of their favourite things and people. 

On the evening, parents, family and carers enjoyed viewing the vast range of artwork. They also engaged in interactive activities with their young people such as bracelet making, colouring and messy play with Oobleck.

A very well done to our young people and staff in working to bring imaginations to life!