South Eastern Education & Library Board
Title: Sweeps Down to the Sea
Artform: Visual Art – 2D Drawing and Animation
Organisation: All Children’s Integrated Primary School, Newcastle, Historical Community Input, University of Ulster
Creative Partners: Andrew Livingstone Visual Artist, Michael Connolly Visual Artist
Participants: 60 students 4 - 11yrs

Synopsis: This project began with an application to the Action Zone Programme with Creative Youth Partnerships SEELB from the Principal of All Children’s Integrated Primary School, Newcastle. The creation of an interactive sound sculpture formed the basis of the application. The final artwork focused on digital animation techniques running parallel with strong visual art work sited on a large curved wall in the main entrance of the school.

Background: The aim of this project was to create an interactive sound sculpture which would celebrate the completion of a new school after many years of accommodation hardship. The Principal of All Children’s Integrated Primary School had a very clear vision and understanding of the importance of the arts. She believed that access to and participation in the arts was fundamental to the education and development of the pupils of the school. This project had an experimental element which would challenge and engage artists, staff and children. A wide creative remit was set by both artists who would seek to initiate innovative artworks which embraced 21st Century technology. This work has been commended by the Education and Training Inspectorate.

Artist in Residence: From January 2005 until June 2005 CYP Artists Andrew Livingstone and Michael Connolly worked closely together to create artworks which were innovative, imaginative and exciting. Each artist learnt new skills and techniques which they then disseminated to the children and staff they were engaged with. Two days were spent in the University of Ulster lazer cutting drawings on to wood, perspex, copper and aluminium. These were then placed on a curved wall in the school with digitally animated – morphing plants and insects weaving across the visual images at intervals.

Showcasing: A large showcasing event was organised to celebrate the opening of the new school and the installation of innovative creative art work. The artists were scheduled for several more days to ensure a sustainable element to the project. The new art work was unveiled by Jackie Fitzsimmons, Chief Executive, SEELB.