A group of nine to 11 year old young artists from Cornwall were given a wonderful opportunity to undertake a workshop working alongside professional artists and lecturers at the Plymouth College of Art.
Working within specialist photographic and dark room studios, the students led by photography lecturer Martina Rooney made a series of wonderful Cyanotypes and Chemigrams.
The young students study their art after school at Rame Peninsula Art’s Young Art School in Millbrook. Their tutor is the artist and former member of staff at the Plymouth Art College, Alan Lemin.
Alan, who was a school head at the Plymouth College of Art for 30 years, and was awarded a BEM for services to arts education, left the college seven years ago to set up his own small art school from his home studio.
Alan said:
“I speak for all of my students in offering our sincere thanks to Martina, and her staff teams. Our students had a fantastic day and were so excited to be given the opportunity to work within the studios of the Art College. We also would like to thank Florence Newsome for providing a tour of the college facilities. Although young, the college has left an enormous impression on each and every student.”
Alan said it was a sad reflection of present day school curriculums that primarily through budget cuts there has been a significant reduction in the teaching of art and proper art education is becoming increasingly rare.
Alan said:
“Our students and their parents are constantly informing me that their children experience very little when it comes to art education at their schools. That is why they are so enthusiastic to be attending courses at Rame Peninsula Art.
“My philosophy has always been to expose my students to as wide a range of arts practice as is possible in an adult way and not to treat them as young children. That is why we explore the works of professional artists from across the generations, build portfolios and make work using a vast array of mediums and techniques. I was thrilled that Martina worked with my group in the same manner.”
The work of all students attending the Young Art School in Millbrook can be seen by visiting their Facebook page at Rame Peninsula Art
