UBATO 2025 Summer newsletter 9, 'Acknowledging Progress'

UBATO

‘Acknowledging Progress’

Newsletter 9 2025-26

Contents • May UBATO CPD workshop…………..............................Page 3-7 • Art Teacher Hacks…………………………………............Page 8--9 • Secondary PGCE Graduate Exhibition.………....…...Page 10-13 • UBATO Newly Discovered Artists…..…………………Page 14-15 • Devleoping literacy and oracy in Art and Design...Page 16 – 17 • Workshop with Darrell Wakelam…..……………..….Page 18 – 21 • South East Sculpture Parks..………………..…….…Page 22 – 23

• Dryad, Sketchup and Scrap Stores.…......................Page 24 - 29 • UBATO’s guide to an arty summer……………….…. Page 30- 33 • BA Primary Art Exhibition………………………..…….Page 34 - 35 • Eastbourne Academy making progress…………..........Page 36,-37 • The Breck Foundation, dangers of teens online.…...….page 38 - 41

• Photoworks……………………………………………….page 42 - 43 • UBATO next year – Glasgow Residential ….……...page 43 - 49

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Photos from our May CPD workshop day.

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Art Teacher Hacks: Tips to make our lives easier next year • Wooden blocks to hold pencils, then you easily know when 1 is still missing. The same can be applied to fine liners, scissors, pencils and brushes.

• Numbering or giving the glue sticks names or even artist names, easier to collect in at the end of lesson. Same can be applied to masking tape.

• Alternative to glue sticks is using a sponge soaked in PVA and water.

• Rolling out printing ink directly onto the table, marking out a space with masking tape. At the end of the lesson, just wipe the tables and no dirty tiles, trays to wash up!

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Graphite or oil pastel on the back of an image or photos. Then transfer / trace. Alternative to tracing, no need to flip image either!

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Using blue roll on top of wet watercolour work in sketchbooks if the drying rack is full (good for a busy day) •

Seawhites Warehouse in Partridge Green, sell off misprinted sketchbooks really cheap.

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Having my clearing away rules added to my teaching slides – really clear for everyone.

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Art Teacher Hacks: Tips to make our lives easier next year • Using AI, typing a list of key vocab into a generator to create a character, which can then be developed further by hand.

• Photocopying onto tracing paper for layered imagery, collage and montage effects.

• Using AI to generate quick cover lessons on specific topics.

• Uploading a you Tube video and ask AI to make a Qand A sheet in response.

• Uploading an article into AI and it creates a video interview between 2 people discussing the article. Makes content easily accessible for students to understand and digest.

• Sellotape printing – love this process for physical photography outcomes.

• Acrylic palettes out of old bits of cardboard, no washing up, just throw away at the end of the lesson.

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Laminated A4 sheets of paper as mini whiteboards, palettes or printing surfaces.

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Displaying my Art Room Rules publicly in my art room, then referring to them throughout, to establish routines and expectations. .

Secondary Art and Design PGCE Graduate Exhibition 2025

Following on from our recent Outstanding OFSTED rating for ITE provision, we welcomed our largest cohort in recent years to Falmer in September 2024, for the start of their initial teacher training. It has been an intense year for all the trainee teachers as well as their mentor sin school that have worked with them throughout their training journey. We were very pleased and proud to show off what they had learnt and achieved in a hugely successful exhibition at Falmer in May. The exhibition truly celebrated their understanding of Art Education and their dedication to wanting to share this with their own students in school.

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PGCE Exhibition

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The range of diverse artists being introduced in school, is exciting to observe, along with the breadth of new art techniques and processes being utilised with young people, to inspire the next generation.

I am also proud to say, that a large proportion of the trainee teachers have secured jobs for September in the local area, so will be continuing to work as art educators and hopefully remain part of UBATO moving forwards.

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The exhibition itself, was part of their PGCE assessment, where they also presented a VIVA in front of their display to explain how their 3 projects represented what they had learnt about Art Education and what had informed their teacher values for the start of their teaching career.

The private view was also a good opportunity for the trainees to say thank you to their mentors, colleagues in school, as well as the friends and family who had supported them in their PGCE journey. This is one of the highlights in the School of Education and Health Science calendar, as it is always a well attended event. Thank you to everyone who was involved in making this exhibition such a success.

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Newly Discovered Artists that have inspired us and our students this year.

Jesse Reno – American Artist Jesse Reno Contemporary Primitive - of the present, searching for understanding through introspection. A basic wisdom of things based on connection to one's ideas, ideals and dreams rather than institutional or technological knowledge based on intricacies.

Abstract Narrative - a visual narrative derived from the interpretation of creations made up of intuitive actions manifesting as abstract shapes, forms and emotions. https://jessereno.com/

Dale Chihuly - Glass Artist.

Chihuly explores new and old techniques, pushing the boundaries of contemporary art. He draws inspiration from the world around him, creating statements in colour and form which have reimagined conventional ideas of function and beauty for over fifty years. Has inspired lots of sculpture work with melting plastic bottles.

https://www.chihuly.com/

Yoshitomo Nara – Japanese Artist Celebrated across the globe for his powerful portraits with eyes that gaze back at the viewer, Nara explores themes of resistance, rebellion, isolation, freedom and spirituality. Easily accessible work with some darker issues explored under the surface. Yoshitomo Nara’s work depicts child-like characters that are likely to appeal to children. However, some of these works include written swear words and depictions of activities, such as smoking and holding guns and knives.

YOSHITOMO NARA The Works

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Newly Discovered Artists that have inspired us and our students this year.

Nick Francher – Commercial Photographer Nick Fancher is a photographer who specializes in creating in-camera effects, often employing the use of bold colours and dramatic lighting. He is particularly known for his efficient method of working, which is with the use of minimal gear and often in unconventional locations. https://www.nickfancher.com/

Charlotta María Hauksdóttir is an awardwinning visual artist based in California, incorporating photography, collage and mixed media in her work. she still draws inspiration from her home country, Iceland. Her work centres around the unique connection one has with a place and moments in time, and how memories embody and elevate those connections. https://www.charlottamh.com/

Ellis Holllow – Scanner Art Exploring scanner photography with nature and patterns. blending the interests in gardening, art, plant science and technology.

Ellis Hollow – Scanner art by Craig Cramer, gardening & more

Yoshinori Mizutani photography Japanese Photographer who follows various themes within the imagery, shot in slightly unusual ways.

Yoshinori Mizutani | Yoshinori Mizutani 15

The British art educator, Rod Taylor, suggest a conceptual structure to help teachers and children work understand and analyse all manner of art, craft and design objects – this can really help literacy in Art.

Using Tier 2/3 vocab on teaching slides.

Content: What is the work's content in terms of subject matter? How significant is this? How has the artist accumulated the necessary information?

Form: What are the formal qualities of the work in terms of its visual elements: colour, shape, pattern, etc? What are the physical properties of the work, for example, its size and shape?

Process: Examine the techniques, processes, methods and time scales involved in making the work.

Mood: Investigate the mood, atmosphere and feelings evoked by the work.

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Using Tier 2 Art vocab on resources.

Using Tier 3 Art vocab on resources.

Analyse Contrast Technique Composition Perspective Interpretation Emphasis Evaluate Influence Proportion Symbolism Structure Context Texture Mood Balance Dynamic Represent

Tone Tint Shade Palette Primary Colours Secondary Colours Complementary Colours Mixed Media Collage Still Life Foreground Background Negative space Cross-hatching Chiaroscuro Impressionism

Detail Visual Process Shape Line Form

Talk about a painting | NSEAD

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Cubism Abstract Realism Multiple perspective Vanishing Point Gesture drawing Printmaking Clay modelling Relief Installation Acrylic Watercolour Hue Expression Creativity ellipses Analytical

We need to talk.

Oracy and cultural capital: the transformative potential of spoken language ; Rupert Knight

Our Oracy Education Commission believes that oracy plays a significant part in all of the above—in helping our young people to understand and tell the great stories of our cultures, to find their own voice, to get a deeper joy from learning is very strong evidence that oracy education helps children in learning to, through and about talk, listening and communication.

We need to talk, 2024 – Oracy Commission

Articulation Prize –

Part of the renewed interest in oracy is due to its potential for driving social mobility and its role in developing cultural capital. Cultural capital has a high profile in current English education policy due to its association with ‘knowledge-rich’ curricula and its explicit inclusion in the latest school inspection framework.

This article draws on the experiences of Oracy Leads from 12 schools to explore the motivations for their focus on oracy and the implicit and potential connections with cultural capital.

11.35 Oracy and Cultural Capital; Transformation Through Talk?RK.pptx

Drawing and Talking Therapy -

National Gallery Students are invited to each deliver a 10-minute presentation to an audience about a work of art, architecture or an artefact of their choice. Adjudicators then assess each presentation as a whole, looking at content, structure, delivery and the speaker’s original approach and unique potential.

Schools / colleges are required to hold Internal school heats to select a student to represent their school /college at regional heats or regional finals which take place at museums And galleries across the country.

Articulation Prize | Articulation | National Gallery, London 17

Drawing and Talking - Home page

Creative Teaching: Darrell Wakelam leads inspiring UBATO workshop for us: On Saturday 5th July 2025, the University of Brighton Art Teachers Organisation (UBATO) hosted a truly inspiring workshop led by renowned artist and educator Darrell Wakelam. Held at our Falmer Campus, the event brought together 30 passionate art educators for a full day of hands-on creativity, collaboration, and professional growth.

A day designed to inspire Darrell Wakelam is a UK-based artist and educator with nearly 35 years of experience creating accessible, hands-on 3D art with children. Originally trained in design and illustration, Darrell rediscovered his passion for model making through working with young people, developing a unique approach that blends creativity with sustainability.

He specialises in sculptures, masks, and models made from recycled materials like cardboard and paper, and has led workshops in hundreds of schools, museums, and festivals across the UK. Darrell is also a published author, sharing his techniques in his acclaimed book Art Shaped, and continues to inspire through training sessions and online tutorials.

The workshop was carefully structured to build confidence and scaffold practicalmaking skills. Starting with a warm welcome and coffee, participants were introduced to Darrell’s techniques, which utilised recycled materials such as cardboard, paper plates, egg boxes, and more. The morning focused on individual exercises, while the afternoon saw the group come together to create collaborative sculptures using papiermâché and other accessible materials.

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Julie, UBATO lead, summed it up: “The whole day has been quite incredible. I knew when I spoke to Darrell in the initial stages of planning the workshop, that he understood what I wanted to gain from the day, but it has been so much more than that!’

“The structure of the whole day has been perfect, to scaffold the making skills and build confidence in all of his learners.

Watching everyone approaching the activities, as well as discussing and bonding through the creating process has been pure joy to witness.’

“On top of that, he is a genuinely warm, enthusiastic and inspirational great guy to work with. I highly recommend him for delivering subject training or working in your school, you will not be disappointed!’

“I know the impact of this workshop will be incredible, not only from teachers being excited to teach more 3d projects, but ultimately for the students we all work with in school, who will now gain from this newly discovered knowledge and confidence.’

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What our members had to say ‘No waste ideas are just brilliant work working in The feedback from the day was a school.’ overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the experience as “transformative” ‘I have absolutely loved the whole day, everything has been inspirational, the problem and “pure joy.” solving aspects, I shall be taking forward and your vocab.’

‘I loved the recycling part – it makes projects cheaper and more accessible in school, but also inspires students to think they can continue this at home!’

‘The workshop has addressed my misconceptions about using 3d materials. I feel so much more confident in how to teach it now.’

‘Working in a team today, everyone had a role and together we achieved, I have always been reluctant to do group work, but now I can see how it can work well for collaborative projects like this.’

‘I really like the collaborative nature of what we did together, I can really see how I will use this in a community aspect of working in a school. I ‘ I have absolutely loved the whole day, it has have loved every part of the day.’ been like magic for me!’

‘Utilising all the materials available to us – which are all recycled materials anyway – has been such a fab idea – it has forced us to think creatively – I have loved the whole day and will take so much from the day that will go on to have impact for my students. ‘ ‘ Transferring the basic skills, which are so straight forward, to other 3d materials has been brilliant.’

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Darrell Wakelam

‘The way the whole day has been structured, where it builds on previous skills that makes it accessible and so playful – diving straight in is such a freeing approach!’

‘The memories of what we have created here today are powerful and I can see this easily being translated into the classroom.’

‘It has been transformative, it is embracing imperfection, recognising and celebrating the making process itself, as well as the outcome.’

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‘It is brining out creativity without any limits of having to design / draw anything out first.’

‘It has given me the confidence to be more ambitious with what I can do with my pupils. I now know what can be achieved and I know how to go about delivering it now – I have come away with so many new ideas.’

Goodwood Art Foundation Located between the South Downs and the coast, the Goodwood Art Foundation delivers memorable experiences year-round. As the 70-acre landscape cycles through 24 seasonal moments, constantly reframing the outdoor art installations, every visit offers something different.

Our opening art programme features some of the world’s most influential contemporary artists.

Their work is shown across the grounds and galleries as part of a bold curatorial vision that will delight and inspire our visitors.

HEADLINE EXHIBITION

Rachel Whiteread Creating a fascinating dialogue between artworks displayed indoors and outdoors, this is the first major exhibition to showcase a range of Whiteread’s sculptures alongside her recent photographic work.

Tickets £15 per person.

Under 18s free.

Members free.

Students £10 per person.

Veronica Ryan Winner of the 2022 Turner Prize and known for her sculptural assemblages that find historical resonances in organic forms.

Discover two works by Veronica Ryan, including a new bronze work created in response to the Foundation's stunning natural environment.

Art Exhibitions | Contemporary Installations, Galleries & Grounds | Goodwood Art 22 Foundation

The Sculpture Park, Farnham, Surrey

"Surrey's best kept secret...a hidden gem" Lose yourself for hours along a winding 2 mile trail through 10 acres of enchanting woodland and water gardens. More than 600 large outdoor sculptures are displayed throughout our stunning grounds all year. The park is teeming with wildlife and plants which are ever-changing throughout the seasons.

In the summer you will find yourself lost in a labyrinth of lush gardens and in the bare trees of winter you will witness more of the vast exhibition all around, spotting sculptures from a far but still managing to lose yourself in the depths of the woodland.

Adults: £15 (ages of 18 - 64) Concessions: £10 (65+, Children, Students, Disabled, Carers) Children age 3 and under: Free

Tickets are limited and can be prebooked online - booking fees apply.

Admission also available at The Sculpture Park reception on arrival.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a short lead

Disabled / Buggy access to around 1/3 of the park but half of this is on an incline Toilets on site No café but you are welcome to bring a picnic or visit Bel and the Dragon pub opposite for refreshments

Plan Your Visit - The Sculpture Park 23

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Art and Craft Scrap Stores in the South East Scrapstores are a fantastic resource for any art classroom that supports visual arts learning! Visiting your local scrap store can help you access a wide range of highquality art and craft materials for your students. The range of materials in scrapstores changes from day to day and could include card, paper, textiles, paint, corks, wool, cardboard tubes, netting, gauze and a thousand other things!

All scrapstores have different means of accessing their scrap materials. In some, you need to pay an individual membership fee, whilst in others, you simply pay for the scrap you take on the day. All worthy of a visit!

Artytime scrapstore is situated in Jarvis Brook recreational park, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 2EG.

It’s a facility, which reuses items (mostly from local businesses) that would otherwise be thrown away and repurposes them for art and craft projects. It is a brilliant way to reuse materials, and promote recycling. https://www.artytime.co.uk/scrapstore/ These materials may be supplied to individuals, families and schools. As well as playgroups, holiday clubs, special needs groups and other community organisations such as Scouts and Guides. Please ask about our large group membership. Most of the materials will be free however some may have a small charge..

Eastbourne Scrap Store - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Elsie Woolmer Hall, Langney Community Centre, Etchingham Road, Eastbourne, BN23 7DX 07392 670037 Eastbournescrapstore@outlook.com Discover a treasure trove of recycled materials and learn new skills at Eastbourne Scrap Store at Langney Community Centre on Etchingham Road.

They are a community-driven organisation that collects and re purposes items that would otherwise be sent to Energy Reclaim. Their mission is to promote sustainability, creativity, and social connection.

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The Scrap Space | EnjoyShorehamBySea This is a venue combining a scrapstore and activity space to encourage, inspire and enable creativity, sustainability and community, in Adur on the South Coast in West Sussex. The scrapstore redistributes clean and safe waste donated by businesses and individuals for creative reuse, such as for art, craft, play and DIY, and the activity space will run creative activity sessions for all ages and skill levels and be available for hire.

Individuals, groups and organisations will be able to become scrapstore members and access materials in a cheap and environmentally friendly way.

Kent Scrapstore Foresters Hall, Meeting Street, CT11 9RT, United Kingdom The Scrap Store in Thanet encourages people to reduce, reuse and recycle by taking in safe, clean ‘scrap’ craft products so that re-usable items are saved from landfill. The craft supplies are sold at affordable prices for others to use to get creative. It is run by members of East Kent Mencap who have a learning disability, and all art supplies have been donated.

On Instagram Scrapstore@EastKentMencap

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RESOURCEFUL COMMUNITY SCRAPSTORE C.I.C. opened at The Bognor Makerspace CIC on Monday 3rd June 2024 and is open regularly at the following times for members to visit and be inspired Follow us on Facebook to keep up-to-date: https://www.facebook.com/resourceful.scraps

Website: www.resourceful-scraps.org.uk/

UBATO’s guide Recommended London exhibitions to visit over the Summer FRIDA KAHLO frida kahlo Tate - Search TATE MODERN EXHIBITION 9 JUNE – 9 OCTOBER 2005 The Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) is now regarded as one of the most significant artists of the twentieth century and this will be the first major UK exhibition dedicated to her work to take place for over twenty years.

Kahlo draws upon a diverse range of influences, including Surrealism, ancient Aztec belief, popular Mexican folklore, Eastern philosophy and medical imagery. For example, her chosen format of smallscale oil paintings on metal,. Kahlo creates taboobreaking subject matter, dealing with the frailty of the body, birth, life and death.

The majority of the eighty works included are from Mexico and the USA, making this a rare opportunity to view so much of her oeuvre in this country.

‘Abstract Erotic’ - Somerset House The Courtauld Gallery 20 Jun - 14 Sep 2025 Abstract Erotic: Louise Bourgeois, Eva Hesse, Alice Adams - The Courtauld

The Summer Exhibition 2025 17 June - 17 August 2025 – The Royal Academy.

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Held every year without interruption since 1769, the Summer Exhibition showcases a diverse array of contemporary works, including prints, paintings, films, photography, sculpture, and architectural works. Spend the day exploring over 1,700 fabulous pieces by famous artists and members of the public, which have been selected by architect Farshid Moussavi RA and her Summer Exhibition committee.

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UBATO’s guide Recommended London exhibitions to visit over the Summer FLOWERS – FLORA IN CONTEMPORARY ART & CULTURE – SAATCHI GALLERY, LONDON EXTENDED UNTIL 31 AUGUST FLOWERS – FLORA IN CONTEMPORARY ART & CULTURE, SUMMER SEASON » Saatchi Gallery Book Now

Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting, National Portrait Gallery

Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting - National Portrait Gallery Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting is the largest major museum exhibition in the UK dedicated to one of the world’s foremost contemporary painters.

A close-up painting of a young woman's face in red and blue tones Drift by Jenny Saville, 2020-2022 © Jenny Saville, Courtesy Gagosian.

Her unique ability to create visceral portraits from thick layers of paint reveals an artist with a deep passion for the process itself.

From charcoal drawings to large-scale oil paintings of the human form, this chronological display includes works that question the historical notions of female beauty, the monumental nudes that launched Saville to acclaim in 1992, and new works on display for the first time.

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UBATO’s guide Recommended Local exhibitions and galleries to visit over the summer Aspex’s vibrant gallery and arts space is located in the characteristic Vulcan Building in Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays, next to the city’s iconic waterfront.

Wed-Sun & Bank Holidays, 11 am–4 pm Free admission

Aspex Portsmouth — What’s On

Aspex Portsmouth The Vulcan Building, Gunwharf Quays Portsmouth, PO1 3BF

A festival rooted in ideas. Discover new ways of seeing and shaping the world around you.

For four days this summer, we invite you to explore the garden as a radical, resilient and restorative space. Gardeners and growers, artists and activists, designers and thinkers all come together to reimagine how we live with the land, through talks, performances, walks and workshops.

Charleston — What's On Inventing PostFeaturing iconic paintings and works on paper by artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Camille Pissarro, Impressionism: Édouard Vuillard, Maurice Denis, Fernand Léger and more. works from The Barber The exhibition includes items from Charleston’s permanent collection alongside a significant number of works from the Institute of Fine Arts Barber, whilst it is closed to enable building repair works.

Izumi Kato – March – November 2025.

Izumi Kato (b. 1969, Shimane, Japan) lives and works between Tokyo and Hong Kong. His birthplace, a region rich in Shinto traditions and mythologies, has shaped his distinctive visual language. Drawing on influences from primitive art, animist beliefs, and post-impressionist painters such as Vincent van Gogh, Kato’s work embraces the essence of humanity through its simplified, universal forms and striking use of colour. Izumi Kato is 32 represented by Stephen Friedman Gallery and Perrotin.

UBATO’s guide Recommended Local exhibitions and galleries to visit over the summer UNDOINGS: AN EXPLORATION OF MAKING AND UNMAKING. SUSSEX CONTEMPORARY 10am – 4pm : Free BN9 – Newhaven Thursday 19, 26 June & 3 July; Friday 20, 27 June & 4 July; Saturday 14, 21, 28 June & 5 July and Sunday 15, 22, 29 June & 6 July ‘Undoings’ explores works on the threshold between the made and unmade. This exciting national opencall exhibition invites UK-based makers, artists, and craftspeople to respond to the theme, identifying a shared aesthetic that characterises artisanal workmanship. The selected 112 works you see draw upon a wide range of materials, colours, scales, and textures, as much bound together as they are poised to disintegrate. With some major national talent alongside emerging makers, the judging panel focused on ‘handmade’ artworks and structures. With an emphasis on work created using simple, repetitive actions, such as repetitive mark-making, crochet, plaiting, weaving, and winding, as well as stringing, shredding, binding, and crumpling.

https://newhavenenterprisezone. com/marine-workshops/

Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft.

‘It Takes a Village’ Sat 5 July 2025 - Sun 1 February 2026 Uncover hidden stories, share your own and see our collection in a whole new light.

Thu 21 August 10:45 am - 11:45 am Museum Dye Garden Tour £8 Join this tour of the museum’s dye garden and learn about this unique place where we grow plants that can be harvested for natural dyes.

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Primary Art

The third year Art and Design specialist teachers, on the BA Primary Education course exhibited their schemes of learning for their subject study module her at Falmer. This module is lead by university lecturer Janette Cullen.

The module has been changed this year, in order to reflect more of the student’s art and design subject knowledge as well as their understanding through their thorough planning for the classroom.

A wide variety of ideas have been considered, along with a breadth of different artists and processes.

You can see the impact these projects will have on children’s learning and development and help lay the foundations for academic, as well as creative success and personal growth.

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The exhibition at Falmer, stayed up for a couple of weeks and was a mark of achievement, as well as a true celebration of what the students had achieved throughout their 3 year degree, training to be a primary teacher.

Many of the students on the BA Primary Education course were successful in securing employment for September and some will be staying in the Brighton area to teach in our local schools.

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At The Eastbourne Academy, Year 7 Art is all about mark making. Each end of term we are required to complete an assessment. To create clear visual progress and to give our students the confidence we complete an observation of a shell, using a range of media.

Mary Watts, Head of Art at Eastbourne Academy, explains how progress is achieved in year 7

In September we complete an audit of skills – a series of observations: 1.

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Imaginative drawing of a shell ( no shell given to students) Feel drawing (using a shell, in their hand under the table so they are unable to see it).

Remember Drawing using a shell then removing it from their vision Opposite hand drawing using a shell Direct observation- pencil using a shell Direct Observation - charcoal using a shell

Term 2- Watercolour pencils A4 Observation from a shell.

Term 3- Non Art materials ( coffee and implements) A3 Observation from a shell or A3 Charcoal and Chalk Observation from a shell.

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The progress the students have made throughout the year is clear and they can see it too.

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The rise of digital art in schools, and why online safety matters – by Giselle Wild, from the Breck Foundation.

In classrooms across the world, a quiet revolution is taking place. Sketchpads and paintbrushes now share space with tablets and stylus pens. Photography GCSE jostles for room on the timetable, standing firmly alongside the traditional academic subjects. Macs and PCs loaded with varying degrees of Adobe Photoshop licensing line the sides of classrooms, with some schools dedicating whole rooms and suites to the growing buzz around the subject. A click of a button enables a meandering journey of developing & exploring ideas as students discover a whole new world of creative possibility: digital art.

Speaker sessions

As a former Head of Art & Photography the endless possibilities of this new layer of the curriculum have not passed me by. As a teacher, I have witnessed a student’s world opening up when they photograph, edit and manipulate their work. They quickly realise they can achieve. Regardless of the department’s funding, budget, equipment, the vast majority of students now have the power of digital art at their fingertips, (hopefully) hidden safely in their pockets, and they’re not afraid to use it. The familiarity of their phones is their safety blanket, empowering them to take risks they may not have dared to dream up with a physical pencil. The results are instant, the blocks of confidence are built, the permanence of a mark on paper is no longer intimidating and the pressure is off. They stand back, they look at their work, and with a self-conscious smile announce, “that looks alright, doesn’t it Miss?”

‘It builds skills in creativity, problem solving and digital literacy.’

The popularity of digital art in schools has indeed inevitably surged in recent years. With accessible software such as Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Photopea and a multitude of free editing apps, students can now explore freely without the constraints of traditional materials. Digital art empowers young people to explore animation, game design, graphic novels, and even virtual reality. It builds skills in creativity, problem solving and digital literacy. This toolkit will undoubtedly serve them strongly in the future world they face, where jobs are scarce and competition is fierce.

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Existing safely in creative online spaces As students dive headfirst into these new creative spaces, it is crucial to remember that creating and sharing art online also carries important risks and responsibilities. Many young artists proudly share their work on social media platforms and seek feedback from online communities whilst connecting with other creatives. They may have struggled to enter a physical white space and stand shoulder-toshoulder with other artists, pensively mulling over their reaction to a piece, this is their accessible equivalent and it’s here to stay.

Whilst there are countless positive aspects to this growing digital art community, the unmonitored access to online galleries, forums and working groups certainly opens an array of potential dangers. Grooming, cyberbullying and unwanted contact with strangers is rife and the veil of creativity does not protect or prevent this.

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In fact it offers more opportunities to connect with, mentor and compliment young artists seeking validity in their work. It builds a common ground, and offers direct insight into a young person’s struggles, thoughts and beliefs which more often than not, form the content of their work.

It goes without saying that when sharing digital art online students may be approached by people who do not have good intentions. They may ask for personal details, encourage private chats or try to move conversations over to other apps under the guise of critically appraising their work. It is vital that students, teachers and parents carers understand the importance of keeping their young artists safe online. Protecting personal information, using secure privacy settings and reporting any suspicious activity must be standard practise and embedded in our auto-pilot.

Youth Ambassadors

‘Game Over’ is a verbatim play written by award winning playwright Mark Wheeler, it’s powerful student-led theatre performance telling Breck’s story which visually explores issues around grooming, online behaviour and potential predators.

Learning from the Breck Foundation The Breck Foundation is a charity founded in 2014 in the name of Breck Bednar and his tragic story. Breck was a 14-year-old boy who was an avid gamer, and adored technology. He was groomed and subsequently murdered by an online predator. The foundation is dedicated to promoting online safety awareness amongst young people with Breck’s story. Ultimately, Breck’s mum believes that if he & his friends had more knowledge and were more empowered to exist safely in the online space, Breck would still be alive today.

Rise E2E

‘We educate and empower young people to be safe online’ Our innovative ‘Youth Ambassadors Project’ involves recruiting and training young people to represent the foundation and become online safety ambassadors in their schools and communities, delivering the foundations’ content to their peers.

Currently funded by the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, we have 48 Youth Ambassadors ready to deliver across 14 schools in Sussex

As a foundation, we educate and empower young people to be safe online through a wide range of workshops, campaigns and projects.

We offer dedicated speaker sessions, telling Breck’s story and teaching about the dangers of grooming. We also offer schools longer term support through our RISE e2e project, a bespoke programme of sessions & resources for schools across the UK , delivering content around Breck’s story with additional sessions including Fake News, Mental Wellbeing, Digital Citizenship and Artificial Intelligence.

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The Breck Foundation’s ethos echoes the tone of this article with the belief that the digital world is a fantastic, enriching and frankly inevitable reality for our young people. We actively encourage young people to enjoy the internet, but we educate them around how to exist safely in this space. We encourage a healthy balance between living online and powering off.

A shared responsibility Whilst talking to a fellow mum-friend of mine recently about navigating the online future with our children, she shared a powerful analogy with me. She described the internet as the sea, a particularly poignant image as we live in Brighton. She pointed out that we would never launch a child into the sea, unaccompanied, uneducated and unsupported. We accept the sea exists, and it is wonderful. But we approach wisely, and with caution. We teach our children incremental, ageappropriate swimming skills and release them gradually as they become confident swimmers. We never take our eyes off them, and we swim alongside them whenever possible. We may even enjoy it!

All adults have a shared responsibility when safeguarding young people. We must take our roles seriously in educating them about the internet, and we must stay educated and up to date ourselves. Teachers must integrate meaningful and relevant lessons around online safety into the curriculum. Parents & carers must educate themselves and encourage open conversations.

Game Over

Young people must be wise to the fact that whilst the online world is revolutionary, it carries a multitude of very real risks.

Conclusion The rise of digital art in schools provides an unprecedented opportunity for young people to express themselves, develop new skills, and prepare for creative careers. It gives children a platform, an area of expertise, an opportunity to excel where previously their confidence may have been clouded. With this new freedom comes a shared responsibility to protect and educate.

Thomas Merton once said, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time”. Let’s ensure our young people do it safely.

If you would like to find out more information about the Breck Foundation and our work, or enquire about inviting us into your organisation, please visit our website

www.breckfoundation.org

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Making Progress: Photoworks nurtures young talent at all stages of career development photoworks.org.uk Photoworks champions photography for everyone. Our programmes inspire children, young people, teachers, families and communities to learn about and enjoy photography.

We connect extraordinary artists with audiences, focusing on building creative knowledge and skills, and empowering people to find and amplify their voices through creativity. All our activity is artistled, with emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and arts for all.

LGBTQ+ Photography Clubs...coming soon!

We've two new artist-led LGBTQ+ Photography Clubs starting soon. One in Eastbourne and one in Brighton.

More info coming next month, but in the meantime email learning@photoworks.org.uk to register student interest.

Check out our ever-growing collection of digital resources at photoworks.org.uk/learn

Support student progress with our Careers Hub

What photography jobs are there? What do artists do? How do they earn a living? Find out more at: photoworks.org.uk/learn/careers/

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Photography exhibitions to visit next term

V3: Model Collapse, Felicity Hammond, The Photographers’ Gallery, opens 27 June.

Earth Photo 20205, Exhibition Tour launches 17 June at the Royal Geographical Society.

Follow us on Instagram @Photoworks.Lab We share opportunities, news from our programmes and other photography organisations, as well as a peek at what happens behind the scenes across our programmes. Be sure to invite your students to follow us too.

Echoes: Stone Circles, Community & Heritage, Stonehenge, until 7 September.

Instagram Takeover Opportunities for 13-19 year olds

Collaborate with us We love to share student work. If you’re visiting any of our current exhibitions and sharing the trip on your institution’s IG account, tag us, use #PWYouthLens or set it up as a collaborative post and we can share it too.

Photoworks is offering monthly opportunities for young people aged 13 - 19 to take over the @photoworks.lab Instagram account for three days each month. Every month has a different theme.

Find out more and support students to submit their work at: https://photoworks.org.uk/opportunities/yout h-instagram-takeover/

Join our mailing list

Keep up to date with opportunities for you and your students by signing up online to receive our monthly check-in.

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Margo in Margate Margo Mc Daid, also known as Margo in Margate, is an Irish artist renowned for her relentless creativity and vibrant works. Since February 2014, she has dedicated herself to painting daily in her Kent studio, producing an impressive collection of artworks, with each piece reflecting a day in her artistic journey.

Margo’s unique style and compelling female portraiture have garnered a devoted online following. Her works, characterized by a vintage charm and vivid colors inspired by Margate’s youth culture, are highly sought after, often selling out immediately upon being posted on Instagram. Her solo exhibition at Brighton’s Helm Gallery in January 2024 was a testament to her popularity, with all pieces sold out within 24 hours.

Educated in applied art at Camberwell College of Arts, Margo’s journey has been diverse and enriching. After a vibrant period in Manhattan, engaging with the NY pop art scene while working as a waitress, she relocated to England.

Here, she contributed as a community artist and art teacher before settling on the Kent coast in 2010. By 2014, she embraced her calling as a full-time artist, committing to her practice of daily painting.

Margo’s work spans various mediums, including canvas, paper, ceramic, and wood. She passionately describes her daily routine: “I literally live to paint – every single day of my life starts the same way, as paintbrush in hand, I create work all day long. It is my joy and my passion, and every single inch of my studio is completely covered with works on paper and canvas.”

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margo in margate - margoinmargate.com

Artist Teacher Day, Saturday July 4th 2026 – Jude Kingshott - Botanical Printmaking and Chris Francis, Art Pedagogy Jude is a mixed media and textile artist, based in Kent. She teaches extensively in Europe and has exhibited Internationally in both solo and group shows.

Jude Kingshott - Mixed Media Artist

Chris Francis, ArtPedagogy aims to promote reflective, authentic art and design teaching and learning, delivered with a spirit of 'serious mischief'. Our Threshold Concepts for Art provide the framework for this. We hope that these 'big ideas' will inspire and challenge - and lead to thoughtful discussions and positive actions.

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ABOUT ARTPEDAGOGY

Artist Teacher Residential trip to Glasgow 2026 Monday 16th – Friday 20th February - £250, 4 nights Deposit of £100 by 31st October 2025, £75 by November 30th and £75 by January 31st 2026.

Price will include 4 nights accommodation, 2 evening meals, 4 breakfasts at the hostel. 2 workshops, a walking tour, and gallery and museum entrance fees.

Travel to and from Glasgow is not included. Cheap flights from Gatwick to Glasgow are under £100, but need to be booked ASAP. Trains are also available to Glasgow.

Travel around and out of Glasgow is also not included, as there will be options made available. However, prices will shared to keep them as low as possible.

Accommodation is at YHA Glasgow 7/8 Park Terrace, Glasgow G3 6BY +44 (0) 141 332 3004 glasgow@hostellingscotland.org.uk

Glasgow Youth Hostel offers comfortable accommodation in a fabulous Victorian townhouse with views over Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow’s lively West End. The hostel offers a great range rooms and spacious shared dorms making it a perfect base for group to explore and enjoy Scotland’s largest city without breaking the bank!

WiFi is free for all guests and other facilities include: a well-equipped self-catering kitchen, two comfortable lounges with free tea and coffee, TV room, games room, laundry, secure bike storage and a luggage store for guests arriving early and wanting to explore the city. The hostel is also within easy reach of many popular attractions including the award-winning Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, The Botanic Gardens, as well as numerous cafes, restaurants and bars.

Approx itinerary – (timings may change due to booking things nearer the time) Monday 16th February – travelling to Glasgow. Flights from Gatwick to Glasgow. Or Trains to Glasgow.

Glasgow Residential Trip - February 2026 | − Arrive and check in – approx. 5 – 5:30pm University of Brighton Art Teachers − Pizza at the hostel – approx. 6 - 6:30pm Organisation − Evening group activity, 45 Pay your deposit now, by going to this link.

Tuesday 17th February – Morning – Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) – Gallery Of Modern Art (GoMA) GlasgowCurrent Exhibitions

The Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) opened in 1996 and is housed in an early 19th Century neoclassical building in Glasgow city centre. It displays art by local, UK and international artists and delivers opportunities to engage with this work through a programme of workshops, events and projects. Modern and contemporary works from Glasgow Museums’ collection are on display in the museum alongside a programme of temporary exhibitions. Displays are drawn from the collection of art post 1945, and include paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, photographs, video and installation work with a focus on Glasgow-based artists.

Afternoon – The Burrell Collection – 10 minute train journey from Glasgow central to Pollok

Country Park. Sir William Burrell and his wife Lady Constance gifted their collection of 9,000 objects to the city of Glasgow in 1944. Visit | Burrell

This remarkable collection will take you on a tour of 6,000 years of history, featuring people and places around the world. Through innovative and exciting displays and interpretation, the revitalised Burrell will help connect you with the people who made many of the exquisite works and some of the people who have owned them down the generations. The Collection holds treasures from all over the world. Highlights include one of the most significant collections of Chinese art in the UK and objects from ancient civilisations, including Roman sculpture and Egyptian pottery more than 2,000 years old. There are medieval treasures including stained glass, arms and armour and over 200 tapestries which rank amongst the finest tapestries anywhere in the world, as well as paintings by renowned 19th century French artists like Manet, Cézanne and Degas.

Wednesday 18th February – approx. an hours train trip to Balloch, approx. £8 return. a picturesque village on the South West shores of Loch Lomond. We will have a practical workshop to help us record the beautiful Scottish landscape scenery. Then you have free time to explore the scenery and village, before retuning back to Glasgow.

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Thursday 19th February - Morning – short train or bus Leaving Dumbreck Train Station, By Bus From Glasgow City Centre From Union Street – to Mackintosh’s ‘House for an Art Lover’ - Set within Glasgow’s verdant Bellahouston Park, House for an Art Lover is where Charles Rennie Mackintosh ADDRESS House for an Art Lover, 10 Dumbreck Rd, Bellahouston, Glasgow G41 5BW House For An Art Lover - An arts and cultural centre, wedding venue and cafe based in Glasgow

Afternoon – Glasgow, Street Art / Mural Trail - Glasgow Street Art Walking Tour Meeting Point: 81 Mitchell Street - by the Wind Turbines Mural! This 1.5-hour tour with an expert, local guide will immerse us in the iconic Street Art scene of Glasgow. We’ll explore some stunning murals, learn about their inspirations and more! Glasgow Street Art Walking Tour | VisitScotland Immerse ourselves in a different side to Glasgow on this unique street art and modern culture tour. On this 1.5 hour walk there’s no cathedrals, grand buildings or monuments, you will experience the real Glasgow. You’ll meander down alleys and under bridges to uncover some of the city’s most beautiful pieces of art that are taking over the walls by storm. All with a local, expert guide.

Evening meal social as a group in a restaurant in Glasgow – this meal is included in the price.

Friday 20th February – Morning - Kelvingrove Art Gallery – A curator-led talk or tour on a specific theme and then a self led tour of the extensive gallery. Free entry to gallery workshop Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Glasgow Life

(Optional) lunch / afternoon Tea at The famous Mackintosh ‘Willow Tea Room’ –£20 a head. About — The Willow Tea Rooms - Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland Travel home.

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Exciting news - Bob and Roberta Smith – has agreed in principle to deliver something for UBATO in the future – details and dates are still to be finalised.

Who are Bob and Roberta Smith? Who are Bob and Roberta Smith? Bob and Roberta Smith is the name of the British artist whose best known works include: ~) Make Art Not War, which belongs to the Tate collection; and Letter to Michael Gove.

In 2013, Bob and Roberta launched the Art Party with Crescent Arts, Scarborough. The Art Party seeks to better advocate the arts to Government. The Art Party is NOT a formal political party, but is a loose grouping of artists and organisations who are deeply concerned about the Government diminishing the role of all the arts and design in schools.

Bob and Roberta is collaborating with film maker Tim Newton to make “Art Party the Movie“, which will be released by Corner House in the summer of 2014.

Bob and Roberta Smith see art as an important element in democratic life. Much of their art takes the form of painted signs. Central to Bob and Roberta Smith’s thinking is the idea that campaigns are extended art works which include a variety of consciousness raising artefacts.

Bob and Roberta Smith studied for his MA at Goldsmiths from 1991 to 93. He was an Artist Trustee of Tate between 2009 and 2013, and he is currently a trustee for the National Campaign for the Arts, and a patron of the NSEAD. He has recently been elected to be a Royal Academician.

THAMESMEAD CODEX at Tate Modern until 2 October 2022 - Bob and Roberta Smith

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Don’t forget to tell other art educators about UBATO The organisation works due to its amazing members. Please continue to spread the word to gain more members for the future.

The link below will take you to the UBATO blog

How to join | University of Brighton Art Teachers Organisation

We look forward to seeing you all next year for another year of UBATO – subject specific CPD. Confirmed dates for next academic year: Saturday 15th November Saturday 7th February Saturday 16th May - Artist Day - Saturday 4th July (and there will be a second day in October)

The UBATO Forum, we will discuss and share

Incorporating and developing literacy and oracy within Art and Design. What , Why and How do we do this in our subject, without diminishing important curriculum time

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