27/06/13….Red kites inspire school children’s creation

LOCAL children with learning difficulties, some of whom are autistic, have been working with a local art studio on a project based on the beautiful Red Kite birds that frequently soar above the school.

With James Ort, manager of The Phoenix Studio, Towersey, the children created a sensory wall piece focusing on the region’s iconic Red Kites. The clay creation now resides by the main entrance of the Base for all to see!

Over the course of three weeks, the children were visited by James, who said: ?The children and I had great fun making clay critters and name plaques which they took home. We then used the rest of the time working on a large joint project; interesting patterns were added to clay tiles and were then decorated with special glazes. Positioned outside, the wall relief offers a sensory experience for the children to enjoy ? they can touch the textured clay of the Kite, listen to the ?wind chime rain cloud?, watch birds feed from the ?smiley sun bird feeder? & smell a pot planted with sweet smelling lavender. It?s been such a rewarding project to be involved in!?

Margaret King, The Base Coordinator, secured funding from The West Wycombe Decorative and Fine Arts Society – a branch of NADFAS (the National Association of Decorative & Fine Art Societies). She said: “All the children have issues with their interaction and communication with others; it was great to see them working together cooperatively. James really encouraged them and they enjoyed being involved in each stage of the process of making the sensory wall. They are very proud of the finished result!”