Working closely alongside the Truro High Art Department throughout January, local Cornish Artist Tony Minnion has undertaken a series of workshops at the school with 40 Year 10 and 11 students from the Truro Area to inspire young creative minds to get hands on and high-tech with art.
The Year 11 artists enjoyed a full day’s workshop to extend their coursework and learn new skills before their exam project. Year 10 had a similar workshop with visitors from other schools from the Truro Area as part of the combined Truro Schools Arts Project. The sessions involved a mixture of traditional screen printing and digital manipulation permitting students the freedom to explore their ideas through new creative processes.
Year 10 Truro High student Rosalind Williams said: “It was so interesting to try out so many different and brand new materials. It really gave me a chance to experiment with my work as I had the freedom to spend the whole day exploring these techniques without the pressure of having to submit it as coursework.”
Year 10 work will be exhibited in the Lander Gallery, Truro in March and Year 11 work is already brightening up the Truro High dining room.
“It’s always refreshing to see how students react to my processes and make them their own,” said artist Tony Minnion. “Students responded well to new ideas and produced some lovely work. The most exciting aspect of this fantastic response is that these workshops will leave a legacy within Truro High Art Department far beyond these few days. Staff really understood the potential of these new processes – both textile and ICT – and equipment is now in place to expand the offer to other year groups in the future.”
The workshops were attended by schools and colleges from the Truro Area as part of the Truro Schools Combined Arts Project including Truro School, Penair School, Roseland Community College, Richard Lander School and, of course, 24 Truro High students excited to learn more about how the traditional art of screen printing can be revolutionised by modern technology.
Head of Art, Judith Tutin said: “These sessions have been a great way for students from the Truro Area to work together and expand their portfolios. We are very excited to host these events which give all students the opportunity to be truly inspired to create innovative art.”
The upcoming term has much to offer. From jewellery workshops to a possible collaboration with the Science Department, Truro High Art Department continues to innovate and excite the young artists of the tomorrow.
