BRADFORD schoolchildren have been taking on the role of curators with a ‘Pupil Takeover Day’ at a city gallery.

Artwork by the youngsters, from Horton Grange Primary School, has gone on display at Cartwright Hall in Manningham until September - and the pupils showed parents and other family members around their exhibition at a special open day.

The project is a part of an Arts Award the school is working towards.

Pupils have been taking part in art workshops led by staff from Bradford Council’s Museums and Galleries, and have been inspired by paintings and other artworks on display across the district.

With the Easter holiday approaching, the aim is also to encourage families to visit galleries and museums across the district.

“At Cartwright Hall the children have been learning about paintings from around the world, and developing their observational skills. This has been the starting point for their own work,” said Rayma Ahmed, a teacher and the Art Co-ordinator at Horton Grange Primary School.

“Over the past few months the children have been learning a variety of new art skills, and in the process they have built confidence.

“The exhibition is the work of Year 5 pupils, but we have been working on arts projects across the school.”

She added: “Each class has focused on a particular kind of artwork.

“One class has been working on batique; this has involved making a cushion which has developed their sewing skills too.

“Another has been looking at stained glass techniques, with each child designing their own tile, and another class has been doing quick print, making canvasses.

“All the artwork relates to household objects, showing how art and design influences the things we use every day.”

Youngsters have also taken part in workshops at Cartwright Hall, Bradford Industrial Museum in Undercliffe and Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley, and have met and worked with local artist Pete Blagg.

The school is working towards an Arts Award, an Arts Council scheme supporting young people to develop art skills and connect with the wider arts world.

“Each child has a portfolio of their artwork, and the ‘journey’ they have taken with it so far,” said Rayma. “They will each receive a certificate for their work at the end of the session.”

Items the youngsters have made in the workshops are showcased in the exhibition.

“As well as developing their art skills, the idea is to promote museums and galleries as places for families to visit,” said Rayma.

“With the Easter school holidays coming up, we want to encourage parents and other relatives to come along to museums and galleries, which have free admission.

“The project has been led by Becky Smith and Claire Ackroyd of Bradford Museums and Galleries, and we have been working in school with Musarat Raza from the department.

“It’s great for the children to have their work on display in a public gallery - and they really enjoyed showing their parents around the exhibition.

“All the parents came along; it was a good opportunity to show them what else is on show at the gallery too.”

Emma Clayton