RAPS Celebrates International Women’s Day in Style.
The importance of International Women’s Day has been celebrated with two diverse initiatives involving art and football by children at Ramsgate Arts Primary.
The importance of International Women’s Day has been celebrated with two diverse initiatives involving art and football by children at Ramsgate Arts Primary.
Young artists in Year 3 created a large collage poster of women in art and it has been displayed at Margate’s flagship Turner Contemporary gallery.
They discussed the work of 20 different artists and focused on three in particular - Bridget Riley, Mona Saudi, and Saloua Raouda Choucair.
Their journey began with a workshop with visiting artist Karen Vost. The children produced collages to coincide with the gallery’s current exhibition titled Beyond Form: Line of abstraction, 1950-1970.
Their images were then scanned and a print of their collage was presented on a big poster, with pupils invited to the gallery to celebrate the recent International Women's Day. They were greeted by members of POW (power of women) Thanet group and Karen Vost before going to see the exhibition that inspired this year's collage workshops. They also got to see their work and the work of others exhibited at the neighbouring Droit House at the harbour.
RAPS Art lead Kelly Smith said: “It was exciting for the children to see their artwork on display especially around such a poignant theme.
“The fact the children could view it in the gallery and then relate that back to the images they used in their artwork was really inspiring. A lot of the children have never been to the Turner Gallery so for them to see international work locally is quite wonderful.”
Children were enthralled. Jacob said: “It was amazing. I like the sensory bag and that we got to see the artwork in a different way and enjoy looking at the art work,” while Rosie added: “I like that we didn’t have to be told where to go and we could just explore the artwork and move around it.” Albert said: “‘I like the fact that lots of people can see my artwork is such a public place.”
Meanwhile RAPS Year 5 and 6 girls took part in the nationwide ‘England Football and Barclays #LetGirlsPlay Biggest EVER Football Session’ held at Ramsgate FC’s Southwood Stadium.
The event was designed to encourage girls to play, to have fun with their friends and to feel confident in their own ability. The RAPS girls took part in different football activities, drills and played two matches.
PE lead Alice Piper said: “This was a thrilling event to be part of and our footballers learned new skills, made friends with other players from other schools, and thoroughly immersed themselves in a positive occasion to celebrate women in sport.”
International Women's Day (IWD) is a global event celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Marked annually on March 8, it aims to celebrate women's achievements, educate and awareness raise about women's equality, call for positive change advancing women, lobby for accelerated gender parity, and fundraise for women-focused charities.
Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School and Chilton Primary School.
*For more information, contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847