CHILDREN at Christow Primary School created their own Mythical Beasts with help from a professional artist.

Peter Margerum helped the youngsters to make unique sculptures using recycled materials for the school’s arts week. 

The theme of the workshop was ‘Mythical Beasts’ and the pupils worked closely with Peter to create the sculptures based on their chosen class creature. 

Peter is a visual artist and sculptor who mainly works using recycled plastic, wood and metal materials and household waste.  

He has experience of running workshops in schools, galleries, museums, and nature reserves.

The children worked in teams to choose materials and used different tools to join their structures together.  The school now has a stunning collection of mythical creatures guarding their playground fence.

Christow School's fence now decorated with artwork
Christow School's fence now decorated with artwork (MDA )

Working with recycled materials at Christow School
Working with recycled materials at Christow School (MDA )

The workshop was supported by The Helen Foundation and facilitated by Daisi with funding from the school PTFA also.  

The Helen Foundation is a Teignbrridge-based charity which aims to enrich the experience of young people in all branches of the arts in Teignbridge and South Devon;  they subsidise arts-based workshops in schools led by professional artists. 

Daisi is a leading arts education charity working in Devon to create and promote inspiring creative and cultural experiences that enable more children and young people, especially those from vulnerable or disadvantaged backgrounds, to access and enjoy the arts. 

At Christow Primary School, the work of local, national and international artists is explored to enhance the children’s learning and to make links with Art History.  The art curriculum provides children with opportunities to develop their skills using a range of media and materials.  

This is done through drawing, painting, printing, collage, textiles, 3D work and digital art.

Amy Yeo, headteacher at Christow Primary School, said: ‘At Christow Primary School we value Art and Design as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum.  

‘We believe that high-quality Art lessons will inspire children to think innovatively and I am so pleased that local sculptor Peter was able to run this workshop with our children.’