School art tours the community

00:00, Sep 03 2014

A Horowhenua primary school pupils' handiwork is being highlighted through a travelling art exhibition.

Shannon School is showcasing students' carefully crafted artworks with a roving array - the exhibition was opened at the school this week and will end at the library later in the year.

The children chose the title Nga Taonga Puawaitanga - Blossoming Treasures as the theme of their exhibition and included woven works, sculptures and painted art pieces.

The pupils, aged between 10 and 13, worked through an inquiry-based learning process to explore different art styles and ways to express themselves.

They toiled through design briefs, artistic concepts and visited galleries in Manawatu and Horowhenua to talk with artists about techniques.

Pupils researched their ideas, did workshops and perfected their pieces before they went on display.


Principal Murray Powell said the children spent a lot of time working through the process, and the final results reflected their efforts.

"These inquiries often have a life of their own, and the artwork which has come out of this one has been amazing."

Each art piece was accompanied by an explanation of what the work meant to each child, with some students focusing on the impact sport and music had on their lives.

"It's all very personal art, with a lot of the works circling around Maori aspects in particular, but each student has ended up with something entirely different and together it's ended up as this big exhibition," Powell said.

The school's performing arts centre has been set up as a gallery and the art will be exhibited at Te Takere in Levin during the school holidays before moving to the Shannon Library next month.

The exhibition was designed to highlight students' efforts and promote them to the wider community, Powell said. "The art is that good we thought we want to show it off to more than just the school."

Manawatu Standard