Children from ten Newham primary schools have created artworks under the guidance of their teachers and artist Fiona Grady. The designs were created to reference stained-glass techniques and incorporated slogans to tell stories and communicate themes of understanding, respecting and our protecting our environment. On Saturday 20 September, the children's artworks will be on display at Cody Dock in East London as part of the the Totally Thames Festival and Open House London. You can learn more about the project and see further images in an online gallery at the Thames Festival Trust's website (see link at the end of this article).
The River of Hope project uses environmental learning and creative arts practice to help young people express their concerns about the climate crisis.
River of Hope gives young people the amazing opportunity to engage in a river visit and create artworks under the guidance of inspirational professional artists. The project benefits teachers by providing them with artist professional development and access to a host of online resources aimed at encouraging them to include climate change topics within their curriculum teaching. Fiona Grady is Lead Artist in Newham where she has been working with primary school teachers and children to explore these themes through art activities.
The project is organised by the Thames Festival Trust with support from British Council, M&G in the Community, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Her Majesty the Queens' Platinum Jubilee Fund.