MP Greg Barker visits students art exhibition

STUDENTS from Bexhill High School had the opportunity to meet and greet local MP Greg Barker and demonstrate their artistic talents, at the De La Warr Pavilion on Friday.

As part of the Prince's Foundation, the group of eleven-twelve year old pupils spent the day at the DLWP enjoying a range of creative activities.

Along with viewing the two art exhibitions currently running in the DLWP galleries '“ 'The not Knowing of Another' by Hastings artist Kate Adams, and Grayson Perry's, 'Unpopular Culture' - they also attended a workshop in the DLWP 's studio, under the artistic direction of local artist Steve Wood, where they made 'mixed media boxes.'

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The students individually designed the boxes to be a reflection of their personalities using a mixed variety of materials.

Mary Attwood, Teacher of Art at Bexhill High explained more about the event.

She said: "What's fantastic about today is that the students get straight to the point of creativity. They can see the exhibitions on show, meet people who earn a living in creative artistry, and have the chance to make the media boxes which are a way for them to express themselves; each box is unique."

She added: "By the end of the day hopefully they will have a different opinion of what art is all about."

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One student demonstrating his artistic flair was 12 year old Andrew Sellers.

He said: "It's been fun to see what different art goes on and to make the boxes, because we got to express what we feel about ourselves on the inside of the box, and on the outside show how we think people see us. I think I'm quite sharp so on the inside I made my name in wire and used musical notes because I sing and like music. On the outside I wrote 'cheeky monkey' with graphite in the same colour as the wire."

Greg was impressed with what he saw and believes the students are learning valuable new skills.

He said: "I think it's very important for the kids of Bexhill to try these skills, not only are they having an enjoyable and stimulating day of creativity themselves - which is a good thing - but actually they are learning more about the Arts and they are also meeting some interesting rolemodels; local artists who actually earn their living in what is a fast growing sector of the economy in East Sussex. We need to realise that the Arts and the creative industry is an important part of East Sussex".