Robot workshop with artist Jon Bielstein

Artist Jon Bielstein led a workshop with, Key Stage 2 primary school pupils who had been inspired by visiting Paul Granjon’s 'Oriel Factory' exhibition in the main galleries.

Children made their own simple electrical switches, using them to control a motor salvaged from a discarded toy car, which now propels their new robot sculpture across the floor. Here is the canine robot! These sculpture workshops form part of Oriel Davies’ year-long Start programme linking the gallery with local schools, funded by The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts.

Children & the Arts: 'Start' Programme 2011-12

We are very pleased and proud to announce that Oriel Davies has been selected by The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts to become one of its new 'Start' partners for the 2011/12 academic year.

This will introduce over 350 primary and secondary pupils to the work of contemporary artists who work with new technologies, issues of sustainability, sculpture, animation and drawing. 'Start' provides gallery exhibition visits and creative workshops for pupils as well as resources and training for teachers. The 'Start' programme at Oriel Davies begins this Autumn with projects based around Paul Granjon’s exhibition 'Oriel Factory' which sees the Gallery turned into a robot factory, and continues in the Spring Term with activities inspired by the animations of artists Pia Borg and Sibyl Montague.

Ceramic workshop with Anne Gibbs

Ceramisist, Anne Gibbs, who is an artist showing in the exhibition 'Placement: Ceramic Connections: Wales & Scotland led an exciting and highly creative ceramic workshop for pupils at Ysgol Carno. There were some fabulous ceramic pieces created by pupils, including this beautiful model of the footbridge over the Severn.