DURING the first half of the summer term Hayward’s Primary School in Crediton carried out a whole-school art project inspired by “Take One Picture” as part of a countrywide scheme for primary school children launched by the National Gallery.

The focus for this year was the oil painting “Men of the Docks” by American artist George Bellows, depicting the docks of New York City in 1912.

Each year group took their inspiration from the painting and developed they own ideas working with art specialist Lynn West to create artistic and written work which was displayed in the school hall on Friday, June 21 in an art gallery.

The gallery, which was opened by guest artist Paul McCullough, was open to all the children, their parents and grandparents.

Children from the Early Years Foundation stage looked at the water elements of the docks as it linked with their topic of “Wonderful Water”.

Their colours drawings of undersea creatures were displayed in a sea of shimmering foil strips.

Key Stage One focused on the horses in the painting and the children produced detailed sketches and used wire and mod-roc to make a 3D models of horses and also made horseshoes from clay.

Year Three took their inspiration from the painting and linked it with their geography and science topics on rivers and states of matter to creating a display showing the journey of water.

A trip to Pixie’s Holt on the River Yeo and the end of a rivers journey as it reaches the sea was the inspiration for children in Year Four. In their final pieces they used charcoal to enhance light and shade especially on the rocks and the rippling water. Children also used oil pastels to create different effects and textures.

Children in Year Five looked at the figures of George Bellows’ painting and related this to immigration, notably of the Italians into New York in the early 1800s. They imagined what life would have been like for immigrants and this was the focus of their drawing, painting and photographic work. They also looked at the New York architecture which has Egyptian influences.

The focus for Year Six was also on the horses from the painting and they looked closely at the role of horses in history. There was a visit from a real horse and carried out live observational drawings of the horse and they produced a 3D sculpture of a horse based on their sketches. They also researched people throughout British history who had worked with horses and created clay sculptures of them.

Headteacher, Mr Smith said: “With the support of our amazing Friends of Hayward’s Parent Teacher Association and a kind donation by the Calendar family, we have been able to provide every child at Hayward’s with 10 weeks of quality art teaching with Lynn West.

“As well as providing the children with a fantastic experience, where they have produced work of the highest calibre.

“Children and staff worked really hard to put on the art gallery.”

Lynn explained: “It’s thrilling to see the whole school embrace the project.

The children excelled and produced some outstanding work - they should be proud of what they have produced.