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Cross Collection – Brown Trout

Workshop at St. Margaret’s Darnhill

St. Margaret’s Darnhill

Workshop at St Thomas Newhey

Workshop at St Thomas Newhey

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Did you know Brown Trout can only live in clean and healthy water? The Creative Learning team at Touchstones have been researching water wildlife in the run up to a new exhibition, which will open alongside Touchstones’ building. Exploring the impact of water locally and globally, the exhibition will bring together pieces from our museum and art collections and local studies archive.

The learning team were asked to contribute to this exhibition through a collaborative art piece with primary school children. Bailey, Artist and Creative Learning Facilitator, developed and delivered creative workshops with Year 3 pupils from St. Margaret’s Darnhill and St. Thomas Newhey.

Using a template, children designed their own fish and made a ‘stamp’ using foam and card. Children were encouraged to think creatively, using a mixture of traditional scale shapes and more unique lines and patterns. Once their fish stamp was made, children could pick what colour inks they’d like to use. We saw lots of creative ideas from ombre to checked colours!

With guidance from the learning team, the children printed their fish onto canvas fabric using a special type of roller called a brayer. The prints will be backed using recycled textiles, kindly donated by Decourcey Designs, and turned into a mobile.

Through this project, children discovered the vital role that water quality plays in supporting life and explored the importance of protecting our planet’s water sources. The installation will also include audio recordings of the children’s reflections and pledges to become “water heroes” by taking small but impactful actions such as recycling and saving water.

Thank you to the Year 3 classes at St. Margaret’s Darnhill and St. Thomas Newhey for your hard work and creativity – we can’t wait to see your fish in the gallery! Make sure to sign up to our newsletter and follow us on social media for updates on Touchstones’ reopening.