The Big Draw

This specialist arts college celebrated the drawing that takes place across the curriculum in a Saturday event involving the local community, including pupils from feeder schools and other secondary schools.

Quirky drawing activities and unusual materials engaged those who might find traditional methods intimidating, and offered a visible means of extending the school’s outreach.

Outdoor action painting with splashy paints, bikes, mopeds, roller blades and skateboards gathered eager participants, as did drawing on a huge MDF sheet with a power router (wearing full protective clothing, mask and goggles).

Dancers challenged visitors to draw with paintbrushes between their toes. Other popular activities were:

• drawing with light sticks in a darkened studio, adding these images to a video and to time elapsed photographs
• using string and coloured wools to create an installation around a small stand of trees
• drawing on, and with, guitars and steel drums

In addition, The Big Curriculum Draw Day for students and teachers highlighted:

• mathematical computational drawings
• French literary illustrations
• technical drawing
• English comics
• drawing with stitches in textiles, music scores and dance notation

The whole school now has a greater regard for the ways drawing helps to communicate ideas.