Upon arriving in China I found I had an excess of scrolls left over from my train journey. I was staying in a fascinating area of Beijing called Dong Ba which was full of old Chinese buildings, bicycles, dogs and dust. I decided to use these remaining scrolls to document the shops, houses and people of Dong Ba's main street. This amazing experience introduced me to many locals which led to invites into houses, requests to draw relatives and being given endless cups of tea!
Scrolls in Schools projects takes it's inspiration from this amazing experience.
Drawing on scrolls of paper measuring 10 meters long pupils create a rolling animation.
Sound is then digitally recorded before being added.
The School is left with the scroll to display and a copy of the animation for their own use on their website and for publicity material.
The animations can take any direction you choose.
Your school and it's surroundings - This format documents your school and local area. This could be the High street and shops or country lanes, farms and animals if you are located more rurally. This direct observation will encourage pupils to consider, observe and appreciate their surroundings anew.
Journeys - The scroll can also record a journey from the school to anywhere you can imagine! This could be out to a local landmark or all the way around the world! It could even take you out into space! (See the Waycrot Academy scroll below).
Topic specific - The scroll can also be incorporated into relevant topics for the participating classes. The history of transport was wonderfully successful at Ivington Primary School (see below) The history of Science, Music or even Mathematics could make for fantastic animations and clearly the Victorians, Romans or Vikings would be very dramatic!
Scrolls in Schools projects takes it's inspiration from this amazing experience.
Drawing on scrolls of paper measuring 10 meters long pupils create a rolling animation.
Following the completion of the artwork the pupils participate in winding the paper beneath a digital camera whilst moving cut out vehicles, people and animals to create the animation.
Sound is then digitally recorded before being added.
The School is left with the scroll to display and a copy of the animation for their own use on their website and for publicity material.
Your school and it's surroundings - This format documents your school and local area. This could be the High street and shops or country lanes, farms and animals if you are located more rurally. This direct observation will encourage pupils to consider, observe and appreciate their surroundings anew.
Journeys - The scroll can also record a journey from the school to anywhere you can imagine! This could be out to a local landmark or all the way around the world! It could even take you out into space! (See the Waycrot Academy scroll below).
Topic specific - The scroll can also be incorporated into relevant topics for the participating classes. The history of transport was wonderfully successful at Ivington Primary School (see below) The history of Science, Music or even Mathematics could make for fantastic animations and clearly the Victorians, Romans or Vikings would be very dramatic!
Ashton Gate Primary School Scroll - North street Bristol
Co-ordination
The project can include the whole school or a single year group and can be organised to fit into the terms existing schedule.
During the first session I will describe my own work and show examples. I'll then talk about my travels to China and the project in detail and answer any questions. This introductory talk will last for 35 minutes.
We then begin drawing the street using photographs of the buildings. These photographs can be taken by myself or with the assistance of pupils.
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The last session focuses on animating the scrolls using my purpose built Pantoscope (see images below). This process can incorporate groups of up to 20 children at a time. One child winds the scroll whilst the others pass vehicles, people, dogs, horses and planes beneath the camera!
A digital recording of the sounds of the High Street is then added to the animation. This recording can also be carried out by myself or can be made with the assistance of a group of pupils.
Drawing each scroll can incorporate up to 35 children of all abilities at one time. Two scrolls can be worked on simultaneously and completed in one day with a group of 70 pupils or can be spilt over two sessions.
The pupils are involved in the complete process from start to finish producing a wonderful record of their school, the local environment and their own creative abilities.
The process of creating the scrolls holds many educational benefits. By working directly alongside a creative artist pupils are introduced to new drawing techniques and the animation process. The project also focusses attention on the local environment and leads to classroom discussions on local history, culture and industry. My own journey to China also generates conversations about different cultures, global geography and travel.
As a lasting record of the day the scrolls serve as a celebration of the schools achievement and act as an inspiration to other children in subsequent years.
Members of staff will benefit by increasing their confidence, skill and knowledge of art forms and related techniques.
Testimonials
Bridget Knight Headmistress Eardisley CE Primary School - "We had such a wonderful time with Duncan, his knowledge of China and drawing expertise made the whole experience unforgettable. I feel this has been one of the most interesting and engaging art projects we have ever done! Thank you!"
Jackie Walsh Yr 6 teacher Ashton Gate Primary School Bristol - "Thank you so much for all your hard work with year six. We really enjoyed the whole process and particularly liked the the way we could all work together on one piece of paper. I think the way you planned the day was perfect for this age group. I didn't see anyone not on task the whole time which is rare for year six children at this time of year. The local aspect of the project really appealed to the children and they were able to take part in the project whatever their ability."
Michelle Reid Head Teacher - Priory Queenswood School -
Quotes from the pupils -
Dela - "It was a fun experience and everyone got to share ideas." Naomi - "My art work was improved by Duncan showing me what to do." Will - "It was like a window into the life of a professional artist." Arina - "Drawing North Street was fun because we knew it really well."
Please view examples of completed Scrolls in Schools projects below.
Jackie Walsh Yr 6 teacher Ashton Gate Primary School Bristol - "Thank you so much for all your hard work with year six. We really enjoyed the whole process and particularly liked the the way we could all work together on one piece of paper. I think the way you planned the day was perfect for this age group. I didn't see anyone not on task the whole time which is rare for year six children at this time of year. The local aspect of the project really appealed to the children and they were able to take part in the project whatever their ability."
Michelle Reid Head Teacher - Priory Queenswood School -
Quotes from the pupils -
Dela - "It was a fun experience and everyone got to share ideas." Naomi - "My art work was improved by Duncan showing me what to do." Will - "It was like a window into the life of a professional artist." Arina - "Drawing North Street was fun because we knew it really well."
Please view examples of completed Scrolls in Schools projects below.
Eardisley CE Primary School
.This project incorporated the whole school with the reception class concentrating on drawing vehicles, people and animals. The drawing took two afternoons to complete in groups of one class at a time. In total 120 pupils participated. The results were spectacular!
Please view the Eardisley Scroll animation and images below.
Young artists in action at Eardisley.
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Images from the Eardisley scroll.
Ashton Gate Primary School Bristol
Ashton Gate Scroll
Year 6 artists Ashton Gate Primary School Bristol
Filming the animation!
Nice one Jack!
Waycroft Academy Bristol
This wonderful animation records a journey from the Waycroft Academy on the outskirts of Bristol to the Clifton suspension bridge in the city centre. A journey between any locations can be recreated in this way. You could even head out into space!
Ivington Primary School Scroll
The pupils of Ivington school chose to record the history of transport through their scroll and the results were spectacular! Other topics could easily be used as the inspiration. Specific time periods would be great such as the Victorians, Eygptians or Romans. The diversity of natural habitats and species would make a wonderful scroll. The history of science, music or even mathematics could be recorded.