Staffordshire’s Young People get ready to celebrate Staffordshire Day

An art project celebrating what Staffordshire means to school pupils is on display at two popular tourist attractions in the county as part of Staffordshire Day celebrations.

Six artists have visited eleven schools across the county to offer workshops. The project has been organised by We Are Staffordshire with the aim to inspire young people’s pride in Staffordshire.

Staffordshire Day is held on 1st May each year and is when the county comes together to share its pride and celebrate all that’s great about Staffordshire.

Work will be displayed at World of Wedgwood and Lichfield Cathedral all week. Workshops have included creating bunting, collages, line drawings and dance – all asking pupils to consider what Staffordshire means to them.

Stafford-based artist Ruth Allen worked with pupils at three schools across the county. Ruth said: “During the activity, children used carbon paper to trace over pictures of local architecture, adding detail with collage. It was great to work with them and discuss where they live and their experiences of their local area. The final pieces of artwork are a true celebration of their connection to Staffordshire.”

Simon Warburton, Executive Director of Lichfield Cathedral and We Are Staffordshire Place Board member said, “We Are Staffordshire recognises that pride in our County needs to start as young as possible. We were delighted to scale up last year’s successful project to involve even more schools this year and commission a number of artists to help inspire some of Staffordshire’s school children.

“I am delighted to be able to help these talented children show their work at Lichfield Cathedral, which will be on display for Staffordshire Day. Entry to the Cathedral is free, so please come and support and their work.”

Philip White, Deputy Leader at Staffordshire County Council said, “We have a lot to shout about here in Staffordshire, and over the last years we’ve used Staffordshire Day to tell the world what a wonderful place it is to live in and visit.

“The celebrations are for everyone and it’s great to see the children and young people getting involved in the day and showing what the county means to them. I’d encourage people to try and get along to see the displays during the week.

“1^st May is the anniversary of Josiah Wedgwood setting up his pottery company in 1759 and helping to transform Staffordshire into the centre of the world’s ceramics industry so it’s fantastic to be able to display some of the work at World of Wedgwood.”

Artwork will be on display from Monday 29^th April (midday) until Monday 6^th May inclusive. Please visit the websites for more information about opening times of World of Wedgwood and Lichfield Cathedral.

Thank you to the artists who have inspired pupils to create this brilliant artwork – Kate Dawes, Ruth Allen, Roz at Complex Simplicity and Sam Mace.

Thanks to Priya Sundar and Claire Pring who worked with pupils on Staffordshire themed dances.

The following schools have participated in this project:

World of Wedgwood

St Austin’s Primary School, Stafford

Werrington Primary School

Mill Hill Primary School, Stoke on Trent

St George and St Martin Primary School, Stoke on Trent

James Bateman Middle School, Biddulph

Baldwin’s Gate Primary School, Newcastle

Lichfield Cathedral

Perton Middle School