During the first week of the Easter holiday lower and upper sixth Art students travelled to Cornwall to learn about its significance in Western art history and to make work inspired by the dramatic landscape. Our base was Cohort Hostel St Ives. We were blessed with good weather during our trip with only the occasional rain or hail shower. On the first day, students drew in the landscape at Priest’s Cover. Students used a variety of marking making tools and collage materials to capture the multi-sensory experience of being on the Cornish coastline alongside a turbulent sea.
On the second day students visited Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum. A short guided tour introduced students to the collection at both galleries. Following the tour, students spent the day drawing artwork using a range of materials. Students were particularly inspired by Hepworth’s sculpture garden. The evening’s entertainment was Mr Reed’s Quiz Night, which was a fiercely competitive affair enjoyed by all.
On the third day students visited Geevor Tin Mine to take part in a drypoint printmaking workshop run by local artist Olly West. After a short introductory tour, students ventured out equipped with a hard hat, metal scribe and an aluminium plate. They drew from direct observation, scratching into their aluminium plates to create detail and tone, and every so often returned to Olly’s trailer where there was all the necessary printmaking equipment and materials to print their image. A range of excellent prints were created by the Emanuel students.
On the final day students spent an hour in St Ives before travelling back to London. Students behaved perfectly throughout the trip and they produced a range of exciting and adventurous work. I’d like to thank Miss Denny-Gelder, Ms. Burnett, Ms. MacMillan and Ms. Cottone for all their help and good humour throughout the trip.
Mr Charles Reed, Head of Art
Cornwall Art Trip
