The Victoria Park Project commissioned artist Becky Vincer to work with local school children to create a new schools resource to use in the park.
Children from Ashford Oaks Community Primary School, Beaver Green Primary School, John Wesley Primary School and St Simon's Primary School attended workshops over the Autumn term of 2022 with artist Becky Vincer to design their own pages for the sketchbook. The workshops took inspiration from the Wreck This Journal books by Keri Smith, a book that encourages creative thinking and journaling.
'The workshops I designed encouraged children to engage with their surroundings, learn through doing and lead with their imaginations. We drew around leaves and coloured outside the lines, ripped out sketchbook pages to make paper boats to float in the fountain and rubbed sketchbooks pages in the mud. Across the three workshops I noticed children rapidly growing in confidence as they explored their own creativity and Victoria Park.'– Becky Vincer, Artist.
The sketchbook is suitable for children studying at Key Stage 2 level and aims to engage more schools and young people with outdoor learning in Victoria Park. The resource launched in January 2023 with a limited edition of hard copy books being presented to the schools that took part.
Becky has created a video to tell you about the sketch book and how you can use it, you can view the video above.
'It has been lovely to see the children so animated and learning to be more ‘free’ in using their imaginations. We have really enjoyed it!' – Josie Teacher at Beaver Green Primary
'All artists behind their art should be having fun.' - Sumina, pupil at St Simons
To see more of Becky Vincer's work you can visit her website or instagram account using the links below
