Children create a unique sculpture

Children with special needs have been working with award-winning sculptor Jon Edgar to create a unique sculpture entitled ‘the elements’.

The sculpture consists of five ‘heads’ created from clay and was constructed by children at the Brookfield Centre, Westfield School and Trinity School after a five-day training session with Jon. 

The teachers worked alongside the children to get them using sculpting tools, learning to observe and even rolling on the ground to relax their muscles.

The final work of art is on display at the Courtyard Theatre from 9th-13th November, alongside other small clay pieces and a large white sculpture of a figure created by Jon inspired by his work with the young people.

Another project has involved youngsters working with writer Therese Collins at The Courtyard Hereford to write a fantastic story about a boy and his brain. 

“Welcome to your brain” is about a boy called Josh who finds himself in a library after dark amongst strange creatures drawn from the shelves, all desperate to feed a weird and wonderful machine. 

Working with the council’s libraries, local children have influenced the design of the play, and created sets for it so that it can be transported around the county.  To complete the project, some of the children also star in the play. 

The aim of the project is to reach out to under 12s to enable them to feel confident in a library environment, and to encourage them to pick up a book and get lost in their imaginations.

The play is currently on tour as follows:

Saturday 11 November Hereford Library 10.30am and 2pm
Saturday 18 November Ross-on-Wye Library 10.30am and 2pm
Saturday 25 November Bromyard Library 10.30am

Both projects are part of a council campaign to celebrate and co-ordinate some of the many and varied cultural activities undertaken throughout the county.

Councillor Stockton, cabinet member for community services,  said “Both projects have provided the children with fantastic experiences and encouraged them to think differently about art.

“The council aims to work with our partners to promote and co-ordinate cultural events which offer opportunities for learning.  The children fortunate enough to have been involved in these two projects have had their eyes opened to new experiences, and we hope many others will have similar opportunities.”