Chester academics help young artists take inspiration from the city

Chester school children have found inspiration in the city’s unique and historic places for artwork, models and stories, with the help of academics from the University.

Clare Owens has been working with children from St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s Catholic Primary School and Neuza Morais has led a project with pupils from Grosvenor Park Academy and Dee Point Primary School.

With the work now on display in the city, the initiatives are part of the schools’ programme for Chester Contemporary, a major new recurring visual arts festival.

Clare has explored Chester with year three and four pupils and their teacher, Jake McCallum, on a walking journey from their school in Hoole to Chester’s Rows.

Along the way they discussed topics inspired by their journey, including the historic scenery and what living in Chester means to them.

The walk took them past some of the most iconic views of Chester: along the Shropshire Union Canal; past the Lead Shot Tower; into Grosvenor Park to picnic with the squirrels and ducks; into the amphitheatre and finally to Bridge Street Rows.

During the journey the children observed and sketched using charcoal and graphite and became ‘tourists’ in their own city. The work was continued back at school incorporating more techniques such as wire sculptures, ‘stained glass’ images and portraits.

Their artwork can be seen at Pictura Studios on Eastgate Row until December 1, 2023.

Clare said:

“It was a real treat to work with the children. The imaginative and creative way they approached ‘The Journey’ project, and the artwork it inspired, has been terrific.

“Thank you to the staff and pupils of St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s Catholic Primary School who have been such fun to work alongside.”

Clare is a Chester-based teacher and creative practitioner. Her Master’s in Fine Art was completed at the University of Chester, she has been a resident artist at the University on the AA2A (Artists Access to Art Colleges) scheme, and she currently works in the University’s Department of Art and Design.

Neuza has worked with pupils to create The Missing Story, following on from her Missing Building project, which asked children and families to imagine and design a building that is missing in Chester.

The new project explored the history of Chester's Rows, with the children making up their own narrative around these unique buildings.

Together, Neuza and the year five children have created 3D conceptual models of the Rows which are on display in the window of Chester Visual Arts Gallery (previously H&M) in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, until December 1. 

Each school has also written and illustrated a story that takes place on the Rows.

The stories will appear in a book and a short film, and after the Contemporary, postcards will be sent to primary schools across the UK and around the world promoting the stories created by the children. 

The audio books of the stories can be found at: 

https://www.youtube.com/@neuzamorais9542.

Neuza said:

“Observing the efforts of children in developing and implementing these initiatives is incredibly inspiring. These are not just school projects; they serve to break barriers and understandings about our built environment as well as to expand perceptions of where children and their work belong. They embody deliberate political and social endeavours aimed at effecting change through actively listening to and advocating for children and young individuals within our community.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the students of Grosvenor Park Academy and Dee Point Primary School, along with their teachers Mrs Gill, Mrs Wright, and Mrs Jones, for their invaluable assistance.”

Neuza is an architect, community educator and researcher based in Chester. Neuza works at the University of Chester as a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Art and Design, and Research Assistant for the Department of Music, Media and Performance. Neuza is also a doctoral student at the University, where her research interests lie in the intersection of community, belonging, and the built environment, which she explores through Art-Based Research (ABR) techniques, including film and music.

Chester Contemporary’s schools’ programme is delivered in partnership with Community Interest Company, Edsential. The programme has been inspired by the themes: A Stitch in Time, To the Sea To the Sea, Food Glorious Food, and Row Stories, and is part of the cultural programme of the Chester High Street Heritage Action Zone (the Rows), funded by Historic England and supported by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Pictured - Clare Owens with pupils from St Werburgh’s and St Columba’s Catholic Primary School.