Sea Fever

Each year Derby Museums work with thousands of school children across the city and surrounding area. The Schools Summer Showcase displays work produced by children in response to the museum’s Collections. This year, children take inspiration from Joseph Wright’s painting ‘A Grotto in the Gulf of Salerno, Moonlight’ 1780. The exhibition will share the significance of Joseph Wright of Derby with children who will take an imaginative journey and produce creative work in response to the chosen painting. The gallery space will bring together diverse reactions from schools across Derby.Asterdale was one of the schools which participated in this project and what follows is a selection of drawings and preparatory work they produced as part of their journey.

School Summer ShowcaseSEA FEVER9 June to 4 November 2012

Derby Museum & Art GalleryThe StrandDerby DE1 1BS01332 641901

Joseph Wright‘A Grotto in the Gulf of Salerno, Moonlight’ 1780.

Chloe BallSebbie BanksAbbie BarejaKyra BlackwellMax ChambersHarry CresswellEllie CrossleyTaylor FordSamantha HadsonJoshua HutchinsonCallum Macintyre

Arjun NazranLucy PatrickJimmy PayneLewis RoeKaine RowbottomIlarnah ScoularEllen SimpsonJoshua StevensonLatitia TomlinsonIan Walsh

Asterdale Primary SchoolYear 4Teacher: Mrs Ruth SheardArtist: Kate Smith

Sea Fever

When I was first approached about this project I didn’t really have any idea what it would entail. The question in any teacher’s mind is always ‘How can I integrate this in to my planning?’ I needn’t have worried though; it wasn’t a case of what is going to fit, it was more a question of how am I going to get everything in! After meeting with staff at the museum and other teachers participating in the project I’d got an idea of the kind of direction I envisioned us going in. The theme of pirates played heavily in the beginning and I could see straight away the possibilities for making treasure maps in our coordinates and direction topic in maths. But after talking with my class about the painting we came up with a whole new scenario.We are in the little sailing boat that you can see from the grotto, sailing in the Bay of Salerno. We have heard that there is treasure hidden in the cave and we are travelling under the cover of moonlight to discover its’ hidden wealth. What we find when we get there though is a different kind of treasure,

those revealed to us by the sea. In the darkness of the cave we discover a magical, captivating kingdom in the enchanted rock pools at our feet. On the basis of this narrative Year 4 collectively wrote a poem exploring the idea of treasures of the deep and used the colours of different gemstones to describe the objects they could see. We now had a definite theme to work on with our artist.My class and I were very privileged to work with artist Kate Smith. She was incredibly enthusiastic about our rock pool theme and this filled me with confidence too. Kate had such a wonderful way with the children and knew just how to inspire and encourage them to get the best out of each of them. It was astounding to see not only confidence but also ability levels grow so much even after just one lesson. Each child was so engrossed and focused about this project and even those children who sometimes struggle, responded in such a positive way. Concentration levels soared and Kate had had such a clear vision about what she anticipated at the end that it was impossible not to be infected by her excitement and enthusiasm and I know

Ruth Sheard

the children felt this way too.Our work is based around sea anemones, shells, fish and jelly fish, the inhabitants of rock pools. Kate played with the idea of scale and we began with giant anemones and urchins. Children took their time and drew detailed drawings of urchins, shells, anemones and fish; these were transferred on to acetate and then projected on to a large sheet of paper to copy. The children filled these line drawings with pattern using felt pens and muted the colours by putting pencil crayon over the top. They drew giant jelly fish on acetate in the same way to get that translucent feel, then began drawing a variety of boats in detail on different scales so that there were a range of sizes.I am so thankful to Derby Museum for giving my class the opportunity to be part of this amazing project. All of the children, regardless of their academic or artist abilities have gained so much from being able to participate. Confidence levels have soared, artistic ability has shown massive signs of improvement and the children have had the perfect chance to work with an outstanding, creative artist!

Sea Fever

Swishing through the waterMoonlight ripples on its surfaceThe dark, shadowy grotto approaches slowlyMysterious, enigmatic, impenetrableThe boat comes to an unhurried haltAs we clamber out of our rocking vesselButterflies flutter in our belliesAt the thought of uncovering hidden treasureOur feet slide over craggy rocksBut we keep our balanceThe cave is as dark as a starless nightWe hug the walls as we enterSuddenly a warm light bounces off the walls as the lantern is unshutteredScary shadows dance around us We lower the lantern

And discover an enchanted world at our feetReflecting of a diamond flecked sandy bedTwinkles a flexible, golden starIt’s long, soft arms bumpy like barkThe lantern sways and the world shiftsWe see a poisonous, emerald sphere,It’s prickly spikes shimmering in the water Nearby a ruby starfish, encrusted with pearls clasps a glowing shellFeet slip over slimy rocks and the world changes againIn an adjacent pool flotsam has gatheredA small empty casket lies half covered among sapphire nettingIt’s precious contents long gone,Taken by the feverish depths of the cruel seaWe take a final look around the magical cavePrepared to leave without the untold riches are imaginations had promisedOur pockets are empty but our hearts are richer with the thought thatThe sea has revealed its own hidden treasures to us