ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
As Warminster's first Artist in Residence, Natalie Clarke will be inspiring and sharing her creative message with all of our pupils.
WHAT’S MY ROLE AS ARTIST IN RESIDENCE?
To enthuse children about art, not only by teaching, but by inspiring through my own art-making and by creating a vibrant and colourful Art room. I want children to feel inspired to create without worrying about whether they are any good at art. The joy of making and creating in itself is a gift.
WHY ART IN PREP?
A prep school that values a complete education in the Arts sends a clear message to its pupils that a holistic curriculum is vital for their growth and development.
Picasso said, “Every child is an artist” and I agree! Whilst I appreciate that not all pupils will love art or choose it as a subject later on, I do feel that exposure to the creating and making process helps a child uncover hidden talents they never thought they had or helps develop skills that can help them in other subjects, creative thinking and problem solving to name but a few.
Most subjects require left brain thinking: logical thinking and the verbal. The Arts require right brain thinking: non- verbal communication that engages with feelings and emotions, the imagination and intuition. They strengthen focus and attention to detail, as well as hand to eye co-ordination. They require practise and therefore foster self-discipline.
The Arts teach children to make qualitative judgements as opposed to correct answers, set rules and formulas. The Arts help to develop the whole brain. Besides introducing some formal training, which is required to train the eye and to provide some experience with a variety of media, my main focus is to make art fun! The joy of creating develops skills for the modern world.
It promotes self-discovery and nurtures creativity and open mindedness which is highly desired in all career paths.