THE HERDS public climate change artwork is brought to life for the children of Falmouth Primary Academy
Following a successful bid to Art Fund, Falmouth Art Gallery has hosted a landmark community project as one of 44 community galleries and museums to bring public artwork THE HERDS to life for the children of Falmouth Primary Academy school.
In April, ever-growing herds of life-size puppet animals began stampeding into cities across Africa and Europe to flee climate disaster in a public artwork on a scale never before attempted. Millions of people have followed THE HERDS online and via social media and participated in events and performances in person along the 20,000km route from the Congo Basin to the Arctic Circle.
As THE HERDS arrived in the UK in Manchester this past weekend, we’re looking back at how we’ve brought the project to life right here in Falmouth through a series of inspiring and thought-provoking workshops which have deepened the children’s connection with our collection of artwork and the natural world around them.
48 Year 3 and 4 children have explored the topic ‘What makes the River Fal amazing?’ through a special series of gallery and outreach visits, looking at the river’s journey from source to sea, who lives in and from the river, why it is so polluted and what can be done to help.
All about the River Fal
The children were welcomed into the Gallery to watch the film ‘FAL’, all about the sights and sounds of the River Fal. Writing workshop facilitator Jo Lumber invited them to reflect on everything they saw and how important the river is.
The children also observed Italian artist Filippo Palizzi’s ‘After the Flood’ painting which was on display in the Gallery and serves as a poignant reminder of the risks of climate change today.
Serving as inspiration for their very own poems, here some of the wonderful words written by Falmouth Primary Academy children.
Marvellous mask-making
Next up, local artist Sam Bradbury went into school and worked with the children to create their own masks inspired by THE HERDS. Class Teacher and Art Lead at Falmouth Primary Academy, Rebecca Van Vestraut, said: “Sam was great in the classroom when they were creating their masks, the children were engaged and focused throughout.”
“I liked how we made the masks and it was really fun!!”
“I liked that we talked about animals and how we made masks”
Off to the Cirk-Hes
Partnering with Cornwall-based circus arts and physical theatre group Cirk Hes, the children then enjoyed a special visit to find out about environmental street performance. Rebecca Van Vestraut said: “They loved the performance part and some of the children who can struggle to focus in the classroom showed a different side during the circus skill- this was wonderful to see.”
Sarah Scott, Access and Interpretation Manager at Falmouth Art Gallery, said: “It has been amazing to see the children’s reaction to and engagement in this project over recent months. It is a great example of how important the arts can be in providing creative ways to explore challenging concepts and topics. As a Gallery at the heart of the local community which is rural and remote, it is important to us that we can make art accessible for all, and with the support of Art Fund to bring THE HERDS to Falmouth, that’s exactly what we’ve been able to do.”
“I like going on the stilts and on everything and I like all of it!”
“I liked the spinning plates”
“I liked the mermaid and I love the skills that I thought I couldn’t do! And it was fun, I hope you come back”