YOUNG ARTS SCHEME

HADFAS Young Arts Scheme aims to encourage the appreciation and enjoyment of the arts by young people in the area.  Since 1999 we have funded projects every year in local schools.  Visiting artists have spent up to a week with the children passing of their expertise on a variety of subjects such as sculpture, painting, paper-making, poetry, felt-making and glass mosaics.

2011

High Beeches School Harpenden

In June 2011 Natasha Rehman spent two days working with every child in the school from reception to year 6. They all painted a leaf on perspex or plastic usig thick brightly coloured paint. Natasha then created a mobile and a wall hanging for the new entrance hall. We had a small 'unveiling' ceremony for children and parents at the School's Art Day in July.

2010

St Helen's School Wheathampstead

In October 2010 a local artist, Natasha Rehman, worked with all 235 children in the school from ages 5 - 11 years. She spent two days helping each child design and make a fish out of aluminum foil using a variety of tools, including hammers, which were very popular with the boys! She then fixed all the fish together to make a permanent sculpture, now hanging in the entrance foyer for all to see everyday. It was a rewarding and enjoyable experience for the children, and the Harpenden DFAS members who came to help.

2009

Our project in 2008 when we made a stained glass window at Kimpton School with artist Helen Robinson, was so successful that we were determined to maintain our high standard in 2009. Unfortunately our chosen artist at St Dominics became ill and at the last minute we decided to organise our own project using the expertise of some of our members. We spent two days in the school in November 2009 working with 7-9 year olds. Each child spent a whole day learning how to sew and design. Everyone made a square using textiles, beads, buttons, ribbons etc. The theme was African colours and different shapes. The squares were then all sewn together on a backing to make a hanging, which is now displayed at St Dominics.

In the end it was a most rewarding project for everyone, the children, and the HADFADS members who helped. Our next project will be at St Helens in Wheathampstead in October. Artist Natasha Rehman will help the children to make a sculpture out of copper foil'

2008

Our project in October 2008 was one of our most successful.  As it was our 40th Anniversary year we collaborated with HEDFAS, and the funding came from both Societies, and from the Patricia Fay Memorial Fund.  Helen Robinson, a local artist, helped the children of Kimpton School to create a stained glass window depicting scenes from the Kimpton May Festival.  It is in vibrant colours, and looks stunning. 

HADFAS members played their part by supervising the children, and cutting up the many small pieces of glass needed.  The children and adults involved all enjoyed working together and learning about the fascinating subject of glass mosaics.  Anyone interested in finding out more can go to Helen’s website http://www.orielglassstudio.co.uk/2580/frames.php

2007

In October 2007 HADFAS sponsored the sculptor David Kefford to go to the Lady Zia Wernher School in Luton and help the children to decorate pumpkins for the Luton Hoo Rural Arts Festival.  This proved to be a particularly rewarding project as many of the children at Lady Zia are severely handicapped.  Children from Markyate School also attended and everyone enjoyed the collaboration between the two schools.