The Cultural Olympiad – Drawing From Life

Specialist arts college gets ready for Olympics

The college traditionally invites the wider Westbury community to join its Big Draw, and used this occasion to introduce guests to the sculpture programme and the launch of student projects for the 2012 Olympics. Visitors enjoyed making the fourth communal art piece – a collection of ceramic figures.

Simon Packard RA led workshops using charcoal and paint to respond to the sculptures.

Jane Johnson encouraged a group of over-16s to use sticks and ink to record a model with line, texture and form.

After a presentation on the Beijing Olympics by Team GB pentathlete Sam Weale, the Olympic Art Project team encouraged everyone to paint.

Drawing with Light workshops used Sam’s fencing equipment, student dancers, cameras, videos and light sticks to record time and movement. Set to music, these images have been made into a film.

Matravers Junk Band, led by student Andy Wickens, and the skeletons’ rare outing from their cupboard, inspired more drawing – in felt, charcoal and chalk.