Our incredible Reception children took an inspirational trip to the Tate Cornwall in St Ives, as part of their ongoing topic, “Everyone is an Artist.” This visit was planned in response to a heartfelt discussion among the children, where some expressed the belief that they couldn’t draw well enough to be considered artists. In our year of creativity, the trip aimed to challenge that idea and ignite a lifelong passion for art.
Ahead of the visit, the children explored the idea that art is not just about drawing or painting perfectly, but is about creativity in different forms, and there is no ‘good’ or ‘bad’, ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. As part of their classroom learning, they studied pieces by artists such as Alfred Wallis and Sandra Blow.
At the Tate, the children enjoyed a full programme of activities designed to make art come alive. They were given a guided tour of the gallery, where they saw some of the works they had been studying. The excitement was palpable as the children recognised familiar shapes and colours from the classroom in the actual artworks on display.
A hands-on workshop allowed the children to create their own masterpieces, using a variety of materials and techniques. The highlight for many, however, was the interactive treasure hunt, where the children searched for specific pieces around the gallery.
Of course, no school trip would be complete without the simple joys of travel and lunch, both of which added to the day’s sense of occasion. Sharing a meal with friends and the excitement of a coach journey all contributed to the magic!
Thank you to all of the staff who made the trip so engaging and enjoyable, and well done to all of our pupils who behaved so beautifully and have learnt that everyone IS an artist after all.
