5:26pm Friday 29th June 2012
CHILDREN were given a taste of Africa as they were treated to an arts day at Highworth and Warne-ford School.
Year eight pupils spent the day making African masks and learning traditional dances.
The event, which was put on by the creative arts department, has been running for the past 14 years.
Heritage Ceramics, a group of African or African-inspired artists and designers based in London, visited the school on Tuesday.
The children were given four sessions, including a lesson in African mask-making techniques, jewellery design, dance and music.
The school has won an Artsmark Gold award and through events like this they aim for their pupils to study the work of artists from various cultures both past and present.
Michelle Clarke, head of creative arts, said: “It was a really good day and I think all the students enjoyed it.
“It was interesting because they were interactive workshops, so the students were not being lectured to.
“They all got involved and were creating their own dances.
“We have achieved an Artsmark Gold award through projects like this which helped the application.
“We are keen to integrate all the arts, from dance to music to art.
“It is essential for the pupils to have days like this because it not only teaches them about the arts but also about the history.
“For example, with the masks, as well as making them they also learned about the history of them and why they are used, which I think is often overlooked.”
For more information about the Heritage Ceramic group visit heritageceramics.org.
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