Magnificent Mosaics

Year 8 and 9 pupils from Ryedale School are celebrating the public display of their artwork. They have designed and made four mosaics for the Outdoor Swimming Pool at Helmsley. These designs are all based on a water theme including two under the sea, one a moonlit seascape and one is an abstract sea with jellyfish.

The Ryedale Art Department organised and led weekly workshops to support the girls and so they could learn and practise mosaic techniques. These were an extra-curricular opportunity to give specialist art skills to Year 8 and 9 pupils.

The pupils have spent several sessions working with mosaic artist Sue Kershaw who gave inspiration and shared her knowledge and experience of this skilled area. The pupils have used a range of stones, shells, glass tiles, glitter tiles, porcelain tiles and glass beads to develop textures and movement within their work.

Val Travis, manager of the Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool originally approached school in 2014. Fortunately the funding for the project arose mid-2015 to enable the mosaic project to go ahead. Val mentioned a water idea working with bright colours to enhance the existing environment. The funding was provided by the Helmsley Pre-School Committee. Anne Lishman and Tracy Carpenter who originally helped to raise funds were able to join the pupils to celebrate the Mosaic Installation.

Claire Marwood, Art Teacher, explains:

It has been an exciting time watching the mosaics evolve. The girls have shown creativity,
dedication and superb teamwork throughout each stage of the project. Installing the mosaics at the pool together was a rewarding finish to our year. Also hearing feedback from members of the public on seeing the mosaics was wonderful and a credit to all of the pupils involved.

It certainly has given the pool a stunning new look and is worth a visit. I have found it very difficult to choose a favourite as each of the mosaics are so individual and so well designed. I can see favourite details across all of the four mosaics. The girls have been amazing, a pleasure to work with and can be proud to have such stunning work on permanent display at the pool.”

Some quotes from the pupils:

Mosaicing has been a lot of fun and I have made new friends. Not only have I learnt new skills and techniques but I have also learnt to be patient and how to work really hard!”

Ellie Pickering, year 9.

I really enjoyed taking part in the mosaics project because it helped me to develop my artistic skills. It also helped me to work well in a team which is an important life skill to have. I am really proud of how the mosaics turned out.”

Amy Richardson, year 9.