Plans to celebrate the golden jubilee of an arts group in Bury St Edmunds have been launched through a special collaboration with a secondary school in the town.
The Arts Society Bury St Edmunds has teamed up with Sybil Andrews Academy, in Skyliner Way, to offer students the opportunity to learn from a Suffolk artist during a two-week residency.
Mixed media landscape artist Alfie Carpenter will work closely with students to create an eye-catching mural which will be hung in the school hall and be a permanent landmark celebrating the society’s 50th anniversary.
Mary Payne, responsible for young arts co-ordination within The Arts Society Bury St Edmunds, said: “We are delighted to be working with the school – which was an outstanding choice given the international fame of the artist Sybil Andrews.
“Encouraging an interest in the arts among young people is a primary objective of The Arts Society.
“This collaboration will produce a feature work which will enrich the academy building.”
Mr Carpenter said: “I’m excited to be working with and alongside the students during the residency. It always inspires me to grow as an artist and hopefully encourages the students to do the same.
“We will be working on a project called ‘Our View’, which will feature interpretations of Suffolk landscapes from a young person’s perspective.
“My thanks to The Arts Society and the school for being so committed to promoting the arts in education.”
Hannah Nield, head of art at Sybil Andrews, said: “We are delighted that The Arts Society Bury St Edmunds have chosen Sybil Andrews Academy to help them celebrate such a wonderful anniversary and we congratulate them on their 50 years.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to have Alfie in school and this amazing project will give students a real-life opportunity to engage with artists, to learn from them and see what it really takes to be an artist.
“There will also be a huge sense of pride and achievement when they see their work exhibited.”
The residency will run for two weeks when the finished artwork will be unveiled and presented to the school.
Work created by Mr Carpenter, and by individual students during the fortnight, will also be displayed.
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