An Exhibition of Work by Primary Schools inspired by Renoir's 'Umbrellas'
Issued March 2010
29 April – 19 September 2010
Room B (Level 0, Portico or Getty Entrance)
Admission free
Each year the Take One Picture scheme invites UK primary schools to use a painting from the National Gallery Collection as a stimulus for learning across the curriculum. For 2008–9 the focus painting was Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Umbrellas (about 1881–6) and over 200 schools submitted work for selection. The exhibition and accompanying film showcase some of the most imaginative work produced by schools taking part in the scheme, and demonstrate how school children have responded creatively to the featured National Gallery painting.
Highlights of this year’s exhibition include: a three-dimensional woven willow sculpture, fashionable corset prints, animations, computer-generated designs, a multi-sensory peep box and a drama production – all inspired by Renoir’s painting.
Recent research has suggested that cultural learning should be an entitlement for all, and has confirmed that the making of meaningful cross-curricular links and the implementation of a flexible, personalised and creative curriculum are fundamental to a child’s development. These core values underpin the Take One Picture programme.
Caroline Marcus, Take One Picture Project Manager, said: “Take One Picture encourages teachers to place a painting at the heart of the curriculum and to use it as a springboard to creativity across all areas of learning. Visiting schools participating in Take One Picture has given me a wonderful opportunity to see the excitement and buzz stimulated by this approach as well as many examples of teaching and inspired learning happening in schools around the country.“
The schools showing their work at the National Gallery have written the text accompanying the exhibition and will be offered the chance to visit the Gallery for special private views during the summer term.
One head teacher commented, “It has reached the parts that the day-to-day curriculum does not reach”.