FOR SHEFFIELD WITH LOVE

Youngsters from Year 6 at Birley Community Primary School have been brushing up on their artistic skills with the help of an award winning artist, by putting the finishing touches to a multi coloured banner to be prestigiously hung from Sheffield Town Hall in celebration of this years 14th Sheffield Children’s Festival 2006.     The 4-metre by 3-metre semi circular banner, sponsored by Shopping Centre, Crystal Peaks will be in-situ for the Lord Mayor's Carnival Parade on Saturday, 8th July and will remain in place for a full 3 months.

Nationally respected ‘artist in residence’ Lyn Hodnett said “I’ve been overseeing the project and working closely with all the children to connect their ideas and topics to those of this years theme, exploring and learning about Muslim cultures from around the world. It links the recent ‘Islamic Art form the Middle East’ exhibition at the Millennium Galleries with the regional ‘Pillars of Light’ festival, which culminated in a visit to Sheffield by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.”

“We’ve had lots of fun researching, story boarding and sketching all the different and complex design elements involved in creating this brightly coloured collage for our City centre. Using a wealth of visual resource material we have based our design on Islamic stories, myths and legends … and topically, of course, football!”

“So, here at Birley Community Primary School we’ve literally been ‘hung up’ on art this past week and the students have done a sterling job of completing this gigantic, hand-painted semi circular canvas. I think weatherproof fluorescent paint has been used for the very first time so it won’t be missed when it’s in position over the entrance doors of the Town Hall - it’s truly striking!”

“It will be daunting too when you know all the young budding artists and their proud parents, plus Nan’s and Grandads will be inspecting it - I’m sure they’ll be excitedly saying ‘I did that bit up there!  It’s just great to have the children’s hard work so publicly rewarded.”

Commented Chris Jones, Centre Manager, “Over the years the Festival has gained a fantastic reputation for the high quality of work planned and executed in our local schools by our ‘in-residence’ artists. They pass on their substantial knowledge and expertise to truly enhance the skills of young people and this wonderfully rich and colourful banner is no exception. It proves that team work, togetherness and local contributions not only add to the cultural life of the city but moreover makes a lasting difference in the lives of those who take part and will certainly brighten up the area’s around Surrey Street and Norfolk Street for many months to come.”

For further information, please call:
Darryl Dawson

t: 01302 759696 m: 07973 676942
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