Leeds Beckett University Professor hosts creative art workshops in primary schools across Yorkshire

Professor Simon Morris, Director of Research at Leeds Beckett University’s Leeds School of Arts, worked with 246 primary school children across Yorkshire to deliver engaging art workshops. He hosted workshops at six primary schools across Bradford and Selby as a cultural enrichment activity to develop children’s craft skills and teach them the history behind the art.

The project and workshops are part of a collaboration between Professor Simon Morris from Leeds Beckett University, Professor Adam Smyth from Oxford University, and Dr Gill Partington, Fellow in Book History at the Institute of English Studies, University of London, alongside Tate Britain and Chelsea College of Arts.

Professor Simon Morris said: ‘’Teaching 246 primary school children in Bradford and Selby how to make their own special origami book and introducing them to the work of South Korean contemporary artist Kimsooja was a real privilege. Just the look of absolute delight and wonder on the faces of the children when they completed their book design was more than enough to make this activity feel completely worthwhile.

‘’At Leeds Beckett University, we work to make a positive difference to the lives of others. The university places huge importance on its role as an Anchor institution in Leeds and the wider region, maximising the benefit it delivers to local communities. We hope the cultural enrichment workshops play a small part in the vision for our organisation.’’

Alisa Yates, Specialist Teacher and Practise Educator at Feversham Primary Academy said:“The children absolutely loved working on this project, the fact they didn’t even want to go for lunch speaks volumes. Students said it was the most fun and creative project. I’d like to say a huge thank you to Simon for delivering this workshop to our students.’’

The workshops will accompany the launch of Issue three of Inscription: The Journal of Material Text on ‘Folds’ focusing on the structure fundamental to the existence of the book, which historically involved the complex origami of large, printed sheets folded into books.  The journal is edited by Professor Simon Morris, Dr Gill Partington and Professor Adam Smyth. The Inscription journal will feature creative pages which showcase the art and history of origami and will be displayed at the Tate Britain in London and Chelsea College of Arts once completed.

During the project, Professor Simon Morris, Tom Rodgers and Zara Worth attended six schools across Yorkshire: Staynor Hall Primary School, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Camblesforth Community Primary Academy, Brotherton & Byram Community Primary Academy, Feversham Primary Academy and Girlington Primary School.