Major new exhibit encourages young people to celebrate art

This year, the National Gallery worked with four groups – LIFT Kids Club in Edinburgh, Victoria Primary and Nursery School in Falkirk, Redhall School in Edinburgh, and Oban High School – and the resulting artwork is now on display for public viewing. The participating schools were chosen in the spring of 2024, with the work with artists taking place on ten days, spread over ten weeks, in the following autumn.

The LIFT group – which stands for Low Income Families Together – worked with artists Frieda Ford, Alexa Hare and Cate Stewart, who used creative and playful activities such as spinning paint and designing jewellery to “help channel the imaginations” of the children involved. Their section of the physical display features a huge, collaboratively painted, mural-style artwork with the words “I’m making my imagination” in the middle.

Pupils at Victoria Primary and Nursery School had the opportunity to work with artists as part of the project. (Image: Julie Howden) Pupils at Victoria Primary and Nursery School were supplied with ‘mystery objects’ that sparked many questions, the most common of which was “what’s inside?”. In this setting, around 80 children worked with Cate Stewart and Poppy Richards in order to develop both fine motor skills and creativity. In the gallery, the work produced by these pupils is being displayed behind a partial screen, so visitors must themselves discover ‘what’s inside.’ School staff also received additional professional learning to boost their confidence when developing creative art lessons for pupils.

At Redhall School, which caters to children with complex additional support needs, sensory play sessions inspired by rain were led by artist Kirstin Abraham. Many of the finished artworks are 3D and tactile, making use of a number of natural materials as part of the expressive process.

Redhall School pupils created a range of artworks inspired by sensory experiences. (Image: JULIE HOWDEN) A total of 17 students from Oban High School, all aged between 11 and 15 years old, also took part in the My Art World project, working with artist Katie Schwab to explore ideas and issues that matter to them. Using the word ‘voice’ as their theme, each young person created individual artworks and then chose which they would like to have featured in the National Gallery. One of the most striking artworks is entitled ‘Voices in my Head’ and highlights the pressures and demands experienced by teenaged girls alongside a demand from the artist: “Let me express myself.” Another prominent piece defiantly declares that “Trans Rights = Human Rights”.

A range of materials have also been made available online allowing schools, families, or individual young people to take part in the project. These resources are designed as ‘challenges’ and are mostly built around three areas: words, questions, and pictures.

Word challenges encourage participants to “create something inspired by the word ‘voice’”, the question challenges prompt them to produce art on the theme of ‘what’s inside?’, and the picture challenge ask people to respond to an image showing a “beautiful experiment with paint”.

Seventeen students from Oban High School took part in the project and produced a range of striking artworks. (Image: Beth Chalmers) Completed work can then be submitted to the National Gallery for inclusion in the current exhibit. Several screens have been included in the display, and artworks from around the country will be shown here throughout the exhibition period, showcasing the work of young artists to visitors from around the world. Staff behind the exhibition hope to receive many more submissions before the closing date in November.

According to Siobhan McConnachie, Head of Learning and Engagement at the National Galleries of Scotland, the project has been a huge success so far:

“I’m so excited and proud to be showcasing the artwork of the talented young artists of Scotland.

“The response so far has been truly inspiring and we have been so impressed with everyone’s creativity. We can’t wait to see what else is still to come!”

“Your Art World is incredibly important to us at the National Galleries of Scotland as it hands over the creative process to young people and celebrates their work. Art has its place in every school, home and young person’s life, whether that be encouraging people to think creatively, use it as an expressive outlet or simply for some fun. This project and exhibition truly celebrates that art really is for everyone.”

Ms McConnachie also hopes that the project can help support those struggling with mental health issues:

“Probably the most important thing I need to say is that art alone is not going to address the mental health crisis and society and schools. That’s critical. It is not a silver bullet.

“But art can be one of the ways we support good and wellbeing for children and young people, and actually for society in general.”

The physical exhibition of Your Art World is now open at the National Gallery in Edinburgh. Prompts and challenges are available for schools, families, and young people, and submissions to the project can be made online.