RUBBISH was given a new lease of life in a recycled art exhibition in Guiseley.

The event, organised by the Aireborough Learning Partnership Trust, featured imaginative creations by schoolchildren from Guiseley, Yeadon and Rawdon.

The two-day exhibition also included a talk by Anita Bowerman, official artist of the Tour de Yorkshire 2015, who spoke about her own recycled work.

Children from 12 schools took part in the event, creating an eclectic mix of designs ranging from copies of famous paintings to sea turtles and a innovative range of fashion.

Aireborough Learning Partnership Trust co-ordinator Karen Walker said the exhibition had been open to the public, who had been impressed by the quality of the work.

She said all the ALPT schools attended with small groups of children to make artwork in conjunction with the art department at Guiseley School.

“Continuing the recycling theme, the primary schools made jellyfish from plastic bottles and cups gluing the tentacles to the bottle bodies,” she said.

“They also made an ocean background using different print making techniques such as blowing through straws and mixing paint and washing up liquid to form bubbles which they then printed onto paper.

“Corregated card was used to make prints and a collage was made from tissue paper. The jellyfish work will form part of the Guiseley School Exhibition in July. The High Schools worked in finer detail on the background by using poly printing and mono printing and filling in detail such as seaweed. Egg cartons and string were also used to make abstract tentacles while looking at gradients of colour.”

She added: “Some children were fascinated by information displayed about the length of time it takes for rubbish to be broken down such as nappies and related this to their own siblings and their family’s use of such items, so the exhibition had a good educational slant.

“Some of the children thought the best part of the exhibition was getting involved and making the jellyfish. One thought the two turtles were the best – both made from bottle tops.”

Anita Bowerman talked about her career and her work as an artist - much of it in the outdoors, recycling tools such as feather quills or twigs to paint with.

Karen Walker said: “She brought examples of her work and gave a demonstration of some of the techniques she uses. Her talk was interesting and informative and gave a good insight into how she works. She was the official artist of the Tour de Yorkshire 2015 and we were very grateful for her time.

“It is hoped that her visit will serve to inspire the children and community.”

On display was work from the 12 ALPT schools - Benton Park, Guiseley School, Guiseley Primary, Hawksworth Primary, Queensway Primary, Rawdon Littlemoor Primary, Rawdon St Peter’s Primary, Rufford Park Primary, St Oswald’s Primary, Tranmere Park Primary, Yeadon Westfield Infant and Yeadon Westfield Junior.