Pathfield pupils put on an art exhibition

Pathfield Special School art exhibition

Gallery Café

TAKING FLIGHT: Harry, 9, with his butterfly creation and Pathfield School headteacher Claire May. Picture: Rob Tibbles. To order this photograph call 0844 4060 262 and quote Ref: BNRT20110704A-009_C
HANDS UP: Reaching Out by pupils of the Pathfield School art club.
LEFT: Artwork by Pathfield School pupils on show at the Gallery Café. Picture: Rob Tibbles. To order this photograph call 0844 4060 262 and quote Ref: BNRT20110704A-002_C
RIGHT: The Sea by pupils at the Pathfield School lunchtime art club.
ARTY EXHIBIT: Pathfield School pupils, staff and carers with the artwork on display at the Gallery Café, Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple. Picture: Rob Tibbles. To order this photograph call 0844 4060 262 and quote Ref: BNRT20110704A-005_C
BRIDAL SCENE: The Wedding Bride by Pathfield pupils.
SNOWY: Winter trees by China, 19.

Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple

Until Friday, July 22

UNIQUE and remarkable artwork, by pupils from a local special needs school, are on show at the Gallery Café this month.

Pathfield Special School's art exhibition is a celebration of what can be achieved through determination, dedication and skill – with many of the exhibits being created by children and young people who have overcome many difficulties and disabilities to achieve their creations.

Wheelchairs, walking frames, industrial materials, textured materials, utensils and sports equipment were all used to help create these remarkable and creative pieces of work – and it is hoped that the pupils' achievements will be recognised through the sale of these unique pieces of artwork – with the proceeds going toward the school's playground project.

Headteacher Claire May said: "So much has been accomplished and this exhibition is a real achievement for all our pupils. Seeing the joy that this exhibition has brought, to not only our pupils but to all the dedicated teaching staff, is heartwarming.

"The work really has been undertaken with dedication and determination and I am delighted to see their work celebrated.

"We have so many talented pupils at our school, particularly in the field of art, that the walls of our school are covered with their achievements. At last we have been able to display these incredible creations in a public place where everyone can enjoy them."

Funds raised from the sale of the artwork will go towards the school's Playground Project – to create an inclusive playground where equipment can be used by both able bodied pupils and those in wheelchairs. The school's Playground Project aims to raise over £100,000 to create this inclusive playground.

Pathfield is a special school for 122 pupils, aged between 3 and 19 years of age, with profound and severe physical, learning, communication and interaction difficulties, including autism. In addition to the curriculum art classes, the school runs a number of lunchtime, and after-school art clubs.