West Surrey Area Young Arts Activities, Winter 2014/15
I enclose a list of the activities of West Surrey Young Arts. The success of Guildford evening’s entries to the
RBA exhibition was remarkable. There were 370 entries from 89 schools through 52 NADFAS Societies. 23
st
pieces were chosen in all and will be on show in the Mall galleries from 11th – 21 March 2015. Unfortunately
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the YA reps meeting at my house on 3 Nov was poorly attended but was much appreciated by those who did
come along. It is particularily useful for new reps. The next Young Arts Day at NADFAS house is on 5th March
after which I will hold another local meeting to cascade the information. We had an article published in the
Surrey Advertiser and in the NADFAS Review.
Ascot DFAS - Sponsored an artist in a local primary School for a ceramics project.
Camberley DFAS - Helen Gregson has taken over the Young Arts role and is liaising with Frimley and
Camberley Art Society and three local secondary schools to display students art work in their annual
exhibition..
Cobbett’s Way DFAS - Presented a bursary award to a student at the Farnham University of Creative Arts.
Cranleigh DFAS – Involved with St Joseph’s and Wey House Schools with whom they have an on going
relationship. They are hoping to expand a new Art in Nature trail in the schools’ extensive grounds. At St
Joseph’s they funded a sculptor led workshop involving making a life size metal stag and metal rabbits at Wey
House. Last autumn they had a most successful self portrait project working with all of Cranleigh’s year 5
pupils from all the state primary schools. This involved 150 self portraits. It was so successful that they have
been asked to repeat the project again this year. The position of Young Arts Rep is divided between two
members which works very well
Englemere DFAS - Gave an Art Award to support young artists going on to further studies. They contributed
to the Ascot Kotch Youth Club and to creative art activities for young carer’s from the Princess Royal trust
carer’s service. The young artist, Claire Johnson, whom they have supported attended the Society’s summer
event and presented a display of her work to the members, which they all enjoyed.
Farnham DFAS - Were hoping to continue their tradition of organising a biennial art exhibition from 20
different Farnham Schools and involving 4 school years, which they have done for many years. Unfortunately
the new management at the UCA appear to have no interest in supporting connections with the local
Community. Farnham Young Arts team, which is separate from the committee, has found an alternative venue
for the exhibition at Frensham Heights School.They have organised a display of children’s art work in the
waiting room of Farnham railway station which has been most successful. The exhibition changes regularily
with new work being placed within the picture frames which Farnham Young Arts provided. The SW Trains
manager is interested in continuing this initiative at other stations on the line. The group is also piloting a
scheme to offer extra support and training in the teaching of Art to the staff at a primary school in Farnham
Guildford Evening DFAS – Made a donation to Pond Meadow School of £500.00 for a printing press and art
materials. This is a school for children with complex, profound developmental and medical needs, alongside
those who require a specific approach for autistic spectrum disorders. They have had success with two entries
in the NADFAS/ RBA exhibition at the Mall Galleries. Their entries came from Priorsfield School near
Godalming. They have also funded a ceramic workshop at Pirbright Army camp for Fathers Day producing
mugs and plates for fathers on active service.
Haslemere DFAS - Staged an exhibition of Art work from Camelsdale Primary School. The exhibition was
held at Haslemere Museum at the beginning of April and was attended by school Head, staff, Governors, and
members of the NADFAS committee, parents and children. After the opening, refreshments were provided to
all and a competition was organised for the children, all of whom won small prizes. The theme for the
paintings was Iconic Art Work reflecting film and media. And the clay modelling was on the theme of foot
ware. The results were most impressive. The work was showcasing mixed media art working towards The Art
Award scheme. Three prizes were awarded to the three different media categories.
Mayford DFAS – Has an ongoing involvement with Woking College Art students and submitted work for the
RBA/NADFAS Art exhibition at the Mall Galleries. One picture was selected to be exhibitedr. The tradition of a
NADFAS involvement with the RBA is continuing next year. Mayford Young Arts also sponsor a children’s art
exhibition at the Lightbox Gallery in Woking each year involving several local Woking Schools who are invited
to take inspiration from a piece of sculpture from the gallery’s collection. Next year’s chosen sculpture is of a
man holding a musical instrument and they hope that the local schools will become involved again. They have
decided to increase their donation to the Centrepiece, as costs have gone up so much over the last three
years. They presented a cheque at the Woking College Art Exhibition in July, to the most outstanding
student, Claudia Rietti,whose work has been chosen for the RBA competition.
Shalford DFAS – Has a new project with Cherry trees Respite Centre for young people in Clandon where
there is an enthusiastic Art teacher with good ideas for the range of disabled children attending the unit. This
respite care allows parents quality time with other members of the family. They plan to make four large panels
depicting the seasons using a range of mixed media including clay.
Surrey Heath DFAS. No Y A at present
Walton and Hersham DFAS - funded a project to help children with Special Needs at Leigh School at
Painshill Park. They gave £1500 towards the building of an outside school room in which to do art work in the
Park. It was officially opened by the new Young Arts Rep, Halina Chatsworth, in August as she had had an
involvement with the school. It was built from wood from the Park by an apprentice training there.
Wey Valley DFAS- Has made a worthwhile link with Green Oak Primary School in Godalming and arranged
for a group of 6 – 7 year olds to have a visit to the Watts Gallery where they also visited the Chapel and made
clay angels. Two of the children and their teacher came to the Society Summer lunch and answered questions
about their day. Photos and some of the angels were on display at the lunch. As this was a successful
arrangement, they plan to facilitate workshops with year 1 and year 2 classes in conjunction with the Watts
Gallery during this year, The children will do practical work with clay as well as discovering and learning about
works of art.
West Surrey DFAS – Sponsored the Jigsaw school of autistic children at Dunsfold. They have bought
interesting art materials, which members have been invited to see being used. They will also be purchasing
the necessary art materials to make a mosaic covered sculpture furthering their excellent work with these
children
Weybridge DFAS – Has been continuing to support the Family days at Send Prison Family Link project. They
have provided two very successful art days a year ,each costing £300.00 with an artist , Naomi Beavers,
organising art projects for young visitors. She specialises in using recycled materials usually reflecting the
seasons, often making presents for the young people to give their mothers. The YA Rep gave a presentation
on this project to their members who were very supportive. They have also supported the “Victorian School
Room” in Guildford.
Windlebrook DFAS
school.
Donated £250. To fund weaving frames for playground installation at Bagshot Infant
Woking DFAS - No Young Arts project.
Jane Stopford-Russell