Their first stop was the Eden Project, where they photographed the biodomes and ascended to the top viewing platform in the Mediterranean dome. Despite the heat and humidity, the students enjoyed seeing the rainforest plants and birds. Exploring the Eden Project and capturing images of the diverse flora and fauna proved invaluable for their coursework projects, aiding their sketchbooks and idea generation.
The students also admired the sculptures by Peter Randall-Page, particularly "The Seed" and "Blue (Infinity Blue)," the immense breathing ceramic sculpture in The Core building, which pays homage to cyanobacteria. These large works and architectural forms were especially inspiring for our 3D students.
On the second day, the young artists and designers visited Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden. Following a specialised talk in the gallery and a workshop in the garden, the students were brimming with ideas for their own projects, incorporating the sculptures into textile design ideas and fashion illustrations.
In the evening, the students explored the beach at St Michael's Mount, collecting shells for their projects, taking photographs with SLR cameras, and engaging in stone stacking.
On the final day in Cornwall, after purchasing plenty of fudge, the students visited St Just and Priest’s Cove near the fishing huts, drawing inspiration from Kurt Jackson’s seascapes. The artists sketched at the beach, using various materials to enhance their sketchbooks. After a sunny drawing session, they visited the Kurt Jackson Foundation, learning about seals and the inspiration they provide for his work. The students showed a keen interest in his textural paintings and the vast seascapes he explores.
Overall, it was a wonderful and creative experience for our Year 10 students.