A School of Thought
Thanks to funding from the Self Heal Association, TRAIL was able to offer a sculpture-making workshop to Wolborough Primary School. Led by TRAIL artist Sam Lock, the Year 6 class participated in creating the artwork. The charity collection tubs were generously donated by Read Easy Torbay, an organsation dedicated to helping adults learn to read.
The school children began by researching various fish species known for their vibrant patterns. Using this inspiration, they transformed the collection tubs into unique fish sculptures with acrylic paints. These colorful fish were then attached to discarded wooden pallets, which were decorated by participants in a Self Heal Association-funded community workshop. The sculptures were further adorned with various recycled materials, including ripstop nylon, bottle caps, plastic foil, and fabric scraps. This collaborative project highlights the importance of creativity, sustainability, and the transformative power of education and giving.
Sculpture description:
“Once vessels of charity, these vibrant fish are now reborn through the creativity of school children, crafted from recycled plastic and set upon reclaimed wood. They symbolise the collective effort to combat ocean plastic pollution, illustrating how acts of generosity and the power of education can transform waste into art. Together, they create a powerful statement about the importance of sustainability, inspiring a new generation to protect and cherish our environment.”
Mediums: plastic collection tubs, rip stop nylon, pallets, bottle caps, plastic foil, acrylic paint.
About the Self Heal Association:
The Trustees of this small grant-making charity have a broad interest in Arts & Health, particularly in projects which use arts-based psychological therapies to improve the health and well-being of their clientele.
This may be directly through the Arts Therapies, or indirectly through supervision, mentoring or specific Continuing Professional Development training for project workers by appropriately qualified therapists.
The Association supports both organisations and individuals who are working in Devon and preference is given to projects serving rural and/or low population density areas and to those working with mental health needs.
About Read Easy Torbay:
Our goal is for all adults in the UK to have the reading skills they need to fulfil their potential and live life to the full.
There are 2.4 million adults in England alone – over 7% of the working age population – who can barely read or cannot read at all.
We offer free, one-to-one coaching to adults who want to learn to read via our trained volunteer Reading Coaches.
Established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2011, Read Easy UK now includes more than 80 volunteer-led groups helping 1000+ adults learn to read in their community.
We are continuing to establish groups in areas of high need and are planning to have over 100 groups by 2025.