Art

Art at Eden Park

Our Art and Design curriculum aims at inspiring, engaging and supporting children to develop their creativity by harnessing imaginations and developing exploration and expression.

Children will be inspired by the creativity of the work of a diverse range and variety of artists from around the world and explore how the work of these artists and designers have shaped our culture. They will also look at the work of local artists and be inspired by art in our community of Brixham.  

Children will be given time and space to think, to be peaceful and to allow themselves to be inspired. Children will be taught how important artistic creativity reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. 

During their time at Eden Park, children will develop their skills in sketching, painting, drawing, textiles, sculpture and digital media. Children will experience working individually and collaboratively to allow cooperation, as well as independence, to flourish through a creative project.

Our aim is to ensure that children see the value and benefit of a range of art forms and its impact within our lives, giving each child opportunities to reach their full potential.

Art in Early Years and Foundation Stage

Art in Early Years is a rich and creative curriculum which focuses on developing children's artistic and imaginative skills. It emphasises exploring different joining methods such as glue, tape, paper clips, and split pins, and encourages malleable play with materials like flour and salt. Children are supported in experimenting with paint using fingers, brushes, and tools, as well as mixing colours and using techniques like salad spinners. Drawing skills are nurtured through a range of media and activities, including self-portraits and observational drawings. Creativity is further fostered through music, dance and role play, where children express emotions, develop storylines and work collaboratively. Independence is encouraged through skills like scissor use and tape dispensing. The curriculum also introduces children to various art forms such as abstract and 3D art, using specific vocabulary like “create,” “imagine,” and “join.”

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Key Stage One (Years 1 and 2)

In Year 1, children will explore the work of famous artists, discussing the artists' intentions and examining their techniques. Drawing inspiration from these artists, children create their own paintings which are be displayed in an art gallery.

In Year 2, children will be inspired by the work of famous artists, creating abstract clay figures inspired by Henry Moore, wire figures inspired by Antony Gormley, and soap sculptures with curved forms inspired by Barbara Hepworth. Painting activities will include creating flower-like forms using coloured filter paper inspired by Dale Chihuly’s vibrant work.

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Key Stage Two (Years 3 to 6)

In Year 3/4, children will explore various art techniques such as photography, digital manipulation, portraiture with pencil, charcoal, and white chalk, and experiment with different papers like brown paper and newspaper. They will focus on observation, proportion, and shading while examining how different artists, including Tony Piedra, Derek Gores, and others, have represented themselves and used materials like textiles and collage. The children will explore painting techniques, including colour mixing with acrylics and painting on various surfaces. Students will compare different artists’ styles, from Michelangelo to Edvard Munch, and discuss the purpose behind their work.

In Year 5/6, children will engage in observational flower drawing inspired by Charles Darwin’s exploration of life, using light pencil sketching and learning techniques like washes and layering to create textures in the sky. They will explore painting techniques for trees and plants while examining Darwin's paintings and connecting their work to history. Through projects like creating jellyfish from waste materials in the style of Eva Hesse, they will consider the message in their art and learn about the environmental impact of plastics on our beaches. They will also learn architectural perspective and 3D drawing techniques, drawing inspiration from architects like Frank Lloyd Wright.

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Enriching Art

At Eden Park, we enrich our art curriculum by immersing children in real-world artistic experiences. Children enjoy our visit to Brixham to observe and sketch architectural features like the historic Brixham Quay. Other trips to Brixham inspire children to create their own artworks, such as jellyfish sculptures crafted from recycled materials, echoing the environmental themes explored in our learning enquiries. Additionally, we collaborate with local galleries and artists, including A Kick Up the Arts in Brixham, to engage children in community art projects and exhibitions. Through these initiatives, children develop a deeper understanding of art's role in society and the environment, fostering creativity and cultural appreciation.

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