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Capturing art on camera

Children from Chandos School in Highgate who are new to the UK, have been developing their self-confidence and expressing themselves through non-verbal communication in a project entitled 'A World Imagined 2'.

Working alongside Birmingham-based automata maker Melanie Tomlinson and London-based animator Jo Lawrence, the newly arrived children have been able to develop their self-confidence and express themselves by writing stories for short animation films using characters that they created.

A World Imaginged characters

Expression through art

As part of the project which began in March 2008, the children visited exhibitions and took part in a series of practical sessions, some of which also involved their parents.

To create the puppets and artwork for the animations the children were able to experiment with different techniques including metal embossing.

Local artist Melanie Tomlinson explained: "The children have been brilliant at all the different tasks they’ve been set and the results of their work is fantastic."

Creating puppets

Artist and facilitator Jo Lawrence added: "They weren't aware that they were learning because they just got on with having a good time."

Watch: A World Imagined

Watch the short animation films made by the children using the puppets and characters they created.

Promoting inclusion

The World Imagined projects have been inspired by two long-term creative projects called 'Seeds of Change' and 'New Growth' that Craftspace have previously conducted with newly arrived adults in Birmingham.

Creating an montage

Working closely with the Community Integration Partnership (CIP) in Birmingham, Craftspace have seen the need for professional artists to work alongside newly arrived children to promote social inclusion, encourage growth and nurture new beginnings.

The universal language of making

Research suggests that ‘making’ is a collective and universal language which can help those involved to build up skills and develop self-esteem. Participants are given the opportunity to express themselves creatively; whilst simultaneously feel more connected to the new community they have just joined.

Craftspace Education and Community Coordinator Deirdre Buckley says: “By using the universal language of ‘making’ we have been able to help some pupils for whom English is not a first language to express themselves and feel integrated into the wider learning community.”

For more information on other Craftspace projects visit the website.