Yarm Artists Light Up High Street Christmas Windows

Yarm School pupils have unveiled a dozen pieces of art on display in shop windows on the High Street throughout the festive period.

Pupils from Nursery to Sixth Form have produced the works, based around the theme of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, in their activity sessions, after school clubs and Prep School art classes.  The collaboration with shop owners was led by Yarm Prep School Art Lead, Rachel Shepherd, and Visiting Artist, Jessica Jenyns.

Each window depicts a different ‘day’ from the song – from the partridge in the pear tree to twelve drummers drumming – and demonstrates a range of artistic techniques, including silk painting, needle felting, linocut printing, wire sculpture, and collage.

Year Four pupils (aged 8-9 years old) studied Giacomelli sculptures to inspire the figures of the 10 lords a-leaping. They sculpted the figures with tin foil, followed by Modroc, then painted, then decorated them with carefully crafted clothing. Their lords appear in the window of Waterstones.

The Ceramics Club created the seven swans a-swimming, with the help of Yarm School’s Visiting Artist, which can be seen in the window of LM Beauty. Students from the Prep and Senior School, aged 9-17 years old, worked together to sculpt, dry, bisque fire, glaze and then re-fire the models.

Mr Bill Sawyer, Head of Yarm Prep School, said: “Yarm School is always delighted to work in partnership with our local community, and supporting our local High Street shops with their festive displays gave our pupils an opportunity to extend their art skills further.

“Pupils from Prep and Senior school have worked incredibly hard in a number of different artistic media to create 12 stunning pieces that I’m sure are going to bring a visual festive treat to the Christmas shoppers this December.”

Dr Huw Williams, Headmaster, said “What a wonderful project! I’m delighted to see our pupils’ work on the High Street, and very proud of everyone who contributed.”

Visiting Artist Jessica Jenyns said: “We have had a wonderful time creating these beautiful masterpieces with the children; sharing it all with the public is an honour. Our pupils have learned so many incredible new skills and their hard work has clearly paid off. Thank you so much to everyone involved, especially the shops who are generously hosting our Twelve Days of Christmas. The children are so proud to see their work on the High Street!

The 12 Days of Christmas artworks can be seen in the windows of Strickland and Holt, Waterstones, Dream Doors, Finzi, Treats, Caffe Nero, Contemporary, Teesside Hospice, LM Beauty, The Black Bull, Rude Grooming and Yarm Library.