Artist Brings Colour To The Classroom - 17 February 2005

The traditional image of a starving artist in a Parisian loft is out of date. Today, a fine artist is more likely to be a Suffolk grandmother working in local schools, bringing her amazing energy to the children’s work and using the experience to enrich her own professional art practice.

Yvonne Markey is the latest artist-in-residence at the Thurleston pyramid of schools in west Ipswich. The pyramid group includes nursery, primary, junior, high and special schools in the Thurleston catchment area. Based at Thurleston High School, Yvonne is working with the children on a series of special projects, bringing additional colour and creativity into the classroom and the art studio. When her busy schedule allows, she also develops her own art, employing themes taken from her work with the pupils.

With projects running or planned in several schools, Yvonne happily mixes her educational role with her own creative work. Whilst preparing for her next professional exhibition, she cheerfully comments, “I have a house full of shoe boxes, waiting to become zoo animals at Highfield Nursery!”

The scheme started in 2003 and is jointly run by Suffolk College and the Thurleston group of schools. Yvonne is the third of the artists-in-residence drawn annually from recent ex-graduates of the School of Arts at the College.

Yvonne’s school projects have included the colourful wallhangings produced by pupils at Thomas Wolsey Special School, to be shown at the Schools Music Festival at Snape Maltings in March. Meanwhile, her own work includes a sculptural piece at Sutton Hoo, based on the life of Lord Nelson and his relationship with Emma Hamilton .

An artist-in-residence has a special role in a school. As Yvonne says, “I can work more freely. I can focus less on prescribed results and concentrate on nourishing the children’s joy of discovery.” It is a joy evident in her own smile!

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

For further information please contact:

Brian Holder, Associate Dean (School of Arts),Suffolk College

Tel: 01473 343601

Email: brianholder@suffolk.ac.uk

or

Tracey Bailey, Promotions & Information Centre Manager, Suffolk College

Tel: 01473 255885

Email: traceybailey@suffolk.ac.uk

or

Yvonne Markey Thurleston High School 01473 464545

or

Mike Everitt Thurleston High (Head) 01473 464545

Issued by Promotions

17 February 2005

Yvonne Markey with the wallhanging made by pupils at Thomas Wolsey School, Ipswich