Schools Art Show

Young artists will have the opportunity to show their work in a professional setting during an exhibition organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The 130 or so works of art by young people from all 16 secondary and special schools across the Bath and North East Somerset area will go on show to the public in the Victoria Art  Gallery, Bridge Street, Bath, from Saturday, 10th October to Sunday 1st November 2009.

The show has been curated by pupils of Chew Valley School. Other schools taking part are: Beechen Cliff, Broadlands, Chew Valley, Culverhay, Fosse Way, Hayesfield, Norton Hill, Oldfield, Ralph Allen, St. Gregory's, St. Mark's, Somervale, The Link, Three Ways, Wellsway and Writhlington.

The exhibition stems from a suggestion three years ago by the Heads of Art departments in Bath & North East Somerset local authority secondary schools. In 2007 and 2008 the exhibition was staged in the 6 Chapel Row Gallery, however this year's show is the first at the Victoria Art Gallery and is much bigger than before, occupying the entire ground of the Bridge Street building.

Suzanne Bloxham, the Head of Art at Chew Valley School, has worked at mounting the exhibition with students from her Year 13 Art group. They have been involved in visiting the gallery, measuring and photographing the space and selecting a suitable range of art from across the 16 schools which shows some of the best art produced by young artists in Bath and North East Somerset, in a range of media and styles.

Councillor Chris Watt (Conservative, Midsomer Norton Redfield) said: "This exhibition will give the students a taste of what it is like for professional artists who show their work. Bath & North East Somerset Council’s eight priorities include better lives for young people. Through opportunities like this, young people are able to gain skills and experience that may well help them in their future careers. The Council is committed to delivering its eight priorities which include better lives for young people."

Peter Spain, Secondary Teaching & Learning Consultant for Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Children’s Services, said: "We were delighted with the response to the last two exhibitions with members of the public interested in the young people’s work. The experience of those students who worked at curating the show and those whose work was exhibited was very rewarding. I am delighted with the quality of this year's show which will be the biggest ever and likely to be seen by more people than ever before (up to 9,000) as it runs over half term week which is also Heritage Open Week."

Opening hours of the Gallery are Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, Sunday from 1.30 to 5.00pm. The Gallery is closed on Mondays (except 26 October). Visit the website http://www.victoriagal.org.uk/ for more details.