Today Year 5 had the opportunity to visit the October Gallery, an art gallery located close to our school. Our visit to the gallery embodied our school's vision of living life to the full and inspired awe and wonder in all of us.

We were led on a workshop by a real artist, Jess, who helped us explore the diverse collection of art on display at the gallery. We had time to look at all of the different pieces and choose our favourites. With the help of Jess and our art vocabulary, we were able to discuss the techniques used by the artists and reflect on our personal responses to the art and the moral questions it posed.

One of the most exciting aspects of the visit was learning about the diverse artists from around the world who had their work on display. Many of the pieces celebrated joyful rituals in Africa, and we had the opportunity to discuss the geography and religious and cultural traditions of these people. This fed into our understanding of Christianity globally and gave us a deeper appreciation of the diverse cultures and perspectives represented in the art world.

After looking at the art, we had the chance for silent reflection by sketching small patterns and details from our favourite pieces. This was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the art on a personal level and let our imaginations run wild.

To finish off the workshop, we worked at tables to create a personal reflection of a journey or map using mixed media of oil pastel, watercolour, and real gold leaf. This was an exciting and creative experience that allowed us to express our unique perspectives and bring our own visions to life.

Overall, our trip to the October Gallery was an incredible opportunity to explore the world of art and expand our understanding of the diverse cultures and perspectives represented within it. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to visit an art gallery with real working artists so close to our school, and we encourage all children and families to visit and see the diverse and constantly updated collection for themselves.