Students from Greenfield Community College are taking part in a project that will help them explore their ambitions and aspirations. The group of young people are working alongside artist Richard Bliss in an Arts Council funded project supported by Greenfield Arts that celebrates the practices of ordinary people and how they thrived in places such as Newton Aycliffe.
Drawing upon the heritage of Newton Aycliffe and its beginnings as a new town the students are learning about the early pioneers in the town and the aspirations and ambitions of those that came to work and live here. Students have been looking at the ethos and aspirations of ‘new towns’ and the ambitions they faced to promote a classless community with ideals that could fuel a better future.
Like the early pioneers, students are finding the resourcefulness within themselves is a positive strength and they are exploring ways that they can look at their town with new eyes and how they can create ambition for themselves and others.
Artist Richard Bliss and Katy Milne, Creative Director at Greenfield Arts, are currently meeting students online during their T4S (TimeforSuccess) lesson. “The students are exploring with artist Richard Bliss, the possibilities for their futures and the kind of place and future they want for society. They are interested in unity and are inspired by the aspirations of the new town and how we can build on these to bring about more positive change for everyone.” We are looking forward to sharing the results of the project which will culminate in an exhibition or work that will tour across the county and continue to inspire ambition and aspirations in others.
“I am really pleased to be working with Greenfield Arts again and with the students from Greenfield Community College. We will be working online and our collaboration will eventually lead to us making a piece for the exhibition Workers Thread which will open at Ushaw later this year, and then tour to other venues in Durham” said artist Richard Bliss.
Greenfield Community College is an Arts and Science specialist school. The school promotes an inclusive curriculum encouraging students to work together to realise an outstanding learning experience. If you would like to find out more visit www.greenfieldschool.net or contact the school by emailing contact@greenfieldschool.net or by calling 01325 300378.
This project is funded by Arts Council England and is a partnership with Ushaw Historic House, Chapel and Gardens, Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Greenfield Arts and led by artist Richard Bliss.
