Getting crafty in the classroom this term

Teachers are being encouraged to get crafty this term and visit the annual Herefordshire Arts Supermarket for creative inspiration.

The Arts Supermarket, organised by Herefordshire Council, takes place on October 9 from 4-6pm at the Friar Street Museum and Resource Centre in Hereford. Over twenty artists from across the West Midlands will be displaying some of their work and talking to teachers and people who work with children about what they can offer to schools and other agencies.

From gardeners to ceramicists, there will be a huge range of art forms represented, including Indian dance group Chitraleka, Caribbean storyteller Joy Roxborough, glass artists Emma Waller and art in the woods specialist Toby Allen.

Delegates are invited to enjoy a free glass of wine and some nibbles as they peruse the displays and chat with artists. In addition, Herefordshire Council officers will be available to offer advice on funding arts residencies and help with queries about creativity and young people.

The aim of the event is to bring together local schools and other agencies working with young people to meet artists, learn how they can work together, find out about funding possibilities and increase the number of creative opportunities available to children in Herefordshire.

Sarah Laws, arts learning officer, said: "This is the third year of the Arts Supermarket and the event has grown in popularity every year. It's a great way for people who work with children to talk to local artists, share ideas and book projects for the forthcoming academic year.

"Herefordshire schools have enjoyed some fantastic projects by working with artists. For example, Burley Gate Primary school have forged a very successful partnership with printmaker Adrian Higgins and gained Artsmark Gold over the last year. The pupils have gained a range of new skills and there have been improvements in behaviour in individual cases."