We had a great time this Saturday at the first official event of this years Leigh Art Trail 2010. The Children’s Art Workshops supported by Leigh Road Baptist Church and artists from the Trail took place in the Leigh Road Baptist Church garden in the glorious sunshine.
Leigh Art Trail Artists shared some of their skills and knowledge during a variety of fun and exciting workshops. Over 100 children and their parents enjoyed the day.
More than 100 children got down to work with artists from the Leigh Art Trail, making knitted collages, self portraits, painting giant seaside murals, finger puppets, hand painting, window painting and much much more…
The event saw creative talent gather in the gardens of Leigh Road Baptist Church, in Marguerite Drive, Leigh, to try their hand at making a masterpiece.
The youngsters spent hours getting messy with bright coloured hand painting with the help local Artist Simon Feather.
They then made wooden spoon puppets and dressed them with pieces of material and sparkly glitter.
David Elcock, community worker for the church, said “the event had been running for the past five years, and is held to give young people a chance to get involved with Leigh Art Trail which runs from Saturday 12th to Sunday 20th June.”
Lola Swain, Leigh Art Trail Education Coordinator added: “We have been working with artists involved in the trail to make it bigger and better than ever. “We have been trying to encourage art among young people, who get the opportunity to exhibit alongside professional artists from Leigh.”
One local Mum who visted the Exhibition said; “Thank you for an absolutely fantastic time. My children have had a really different day! – No XBOX!!!”
Ms S Hayter form Leigh who enjoyed the day said, “The girls are having so much fun – what a fab idea! Great work.”
Leigh Road Baptist Church has become the site for young artists at the event and will display the work of primary school children in the Schools Art Exhibition and South East Essex Sixth Form College (SEEVIC) students over the opening weekend in the church’s Oasis The Coffee House, on the Leigh Road, and The Stables community facility.
A presentation ceremony will take place this Friday 11th June at 4.30pm where young artists form local Junior and Infant schools will be presented with awards for their works of art by Southend Youth Mayor Adam Connolly and Deputy Mayor Alex Bright. Press Photographers and Reporters are welcome to cover the event and take photos that is usually attended by over 100 parents and children.