Talented pupils from Broadwood School, which provides specialist education for young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, were delighted to see their artwork displayed in the window of Harvey’s Department Store in Halifax.
Young people at the school had been studying the work of abstract expressionist artists such as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. Based on their studies, pupils were asked to create their own art, linking to the theme of positivity in education. Pupils were involved in the project from start to finish, even creating the canvases themselves from their carpentry training, which explained how to construct the timber frames with accurate joints and stretch the canvas ready to be painted on.
The pupils then created their own unique design using their creative flair and the pieces were aptly named (1) An idea forming, (2) A new day/new beginning and (3) Inspiration.
Impressed with the high standard of work, pupils were encouraged to find an appropriate venue for their work to be exhibited and others to enjoy. Pupils used their local knowledge and sales and marketing skills to source a venue to exhibit their art – this attracted the attention of Harvey’s Department Store who decided to use the canvases as part of their shop window display.
This was a fantastic achievement for the young people, who thoroughly enjoyed seeing their work officially displayed in the town centre and being able to share this with family and friends.
When it was time for Harvey’s to rotate their window display, Keys Group Education Director, Nicola Kelly, decided she would like to purchase the artwork to be displayed in the company’s boardroom. Pupils were invited to Head Office for an official opening ceremony where the artwork was fitted on the wall and a red ribbon cut by CEO, Trish Lee, to mark the special occasion. With the proceeds from their work, the young people have decided to put this towards a fun educational school trip later in the year.
