Young Arts Scheme
For a number of years, HEDFAS has been pleased to be able to support young arts in Harpenden and the surrounding villages. Recently, this has largely been through sponsorship to local secondary schools for the purchase of equipment aimed at providing value to students over a number of years to come. During the school year 2008 to 9, for example, we have agreed the following types of purchases:
- Sir John Lawes – photographic equipment to assist them in developing their work towards GCSEs in photography as well as enhancing student skills in other areas through the use of photographic techniques.
- Roundwood Park School – a variety of items associated with printing for use on paper, textiles and other media. The equipment will enable students to create more professional looking work for their normal course work, for examination projects and for their own enjoyment.
- St George's – equipment relating to printing, drying and keeping larger items of art work, particularly those on paper and fabric, which previously suffered from inadequate facilities.
- St Luke’s School – catering for students with special educational needs. We have been pleased to provide funding towards the purchase of computer software which will assist students in creating their own designs and then generating them onto a variety of media including paper, wood and metal.
We have been excited during our contacts with schools to see the enthusiasm of the teachers to involve everyone in creating their own art outputs as well as gaining a wide understanding and appreciation of the fine and decorative arts. The standards achieved are impressively high and the support from HEDFAS will enable schools to give greater pleasure and wider interest to many more students in the future.
In addition to this activity with secondary schools, HEDFAS has worked with the day time group HADFAS in creating two superb stained glass windows at Kimpton Junior School. Apart from the joint funding of the work, our club members assisted initially with cutting the glass and then worked with the children in the school on laying it into the designs. The work was carried out under the direction of local stained glass designer Helen Robinson - her work can be viewed here.
We are currently looking at a variety of other sponsorships for the future and are happy to consider requests from local organisations which have objectives which align with our own.
