Having been on a tour of the school and seen the wonderful art facilities and the potential for art as a meditative and nurturing medium, she proposed that the school was worthy of The Arts Society Sevenoaks' support. Our Young Arts co-ordinator, Anne Deane, took over and led a very valuable project with Claire Clements, a community artist, working with students of a range of ages.  

The school is run by Barnardo’s charity, and the students have high-level educational and emotional needs, so this sort of work is highly relevant.  

The aim of the project was to produce a textile wall hanging entitled: A celebration of Southborough Common.

The students began their creative journey by taking photos of scenery and nature found on the Common.  

Artworks were then created using a variety of art processes based on the photos taken.  

The final sessions saw the children experimenting with appliqué, creating beautiful fabric flowers and leaves.  

Children developed their cutting and sewing skills to create simple motifs and to practice skills of co-operation.

The final result is a spectacular wall hanging that celebrates nature in a local environment as well as a sense of place.

Claire hopes to display it in Southborough Library and at one of our lectures next Autumn.