This autumn children in the Westmorland Dales have been exploring the landscape through land art. We are working with Kirkby Stephen Community Arts and land artists ‘Stomping Ground’ and 6 local primary schools using Land Art creations to celebrate local landmarks and nature.

This lovely project, forming part of the Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership Scheme, is helping connect children with the natural world encouraging them to look closely at materials such as sticks, pine cones, stones, soils, leaves , grass and wool. They have created collages used natural materials, using them like a paint brush, creating beautiful art pieces.  During these sessions children began first by creating individual art pieces which helped to develop their skills and fire the imagination leading to the final group piece.

The children chose an image, made a frame and built the image up in layers, like a sketch before fine tuning the outlines of the final piece. Some of the images created so far by Primary schools include Hardendale Cairn and Smardale Viaduct, Nine standards, a red squirrel and a short-eared owl. Please look out for the film which will be ready for release in a few weeks. It will showcase their work and bring the schools together in this unifying joyous project.

Many thanks to the children and Teachers at our fantastic local Primary Schools who enabled this to happen. Orton C of E School, Crosby Ravensworth C of E School, Asby Endowed School, Tebay Primary, Shap CE Primary and Kirkby Stephen Primary School.

They work so hard to maintain a sense of normality whilst keeping children safe during these difficult times.