Visual Arts Projects 2007
Betws Nature Reserve Project
During June 2007 Tim and Alison visited Betws Primary School to create signs for the Betws Nature Reserve which is next to the school. Working with a selection of children from years 4,5 and 6 they created bright, colourful signs welcoming visitors to the Reserve and thanking them for their visit, as well as arrows to guide visitors and a series of painted plaques which were placed on the decking area around the pond.
During the workshops the children learnt about the different animals, plants and insects that live in the Nature Reserve (including the rare Great Crested Newt) and the importance of protecting them.
On June 19th an event was organised to officially open the Nature Reserve. Thankfully the recent rain held off and we were blessed with bright sunshine. By 2.30 pm around 300 children and adults had gathered on the school playing field where Aaron the drummer conjured up a beat to start proceedings. The children then joined in with a variety of drums and other instruments before marching off to the Nature Reserve where they were greeted by Tim in a 15 foot high tree costume. A ribbon across the entrance was cut before the procession walked through the Nature Reserve playing their instruments and the trees seemed to dance to their rhythmic music. Some time later the last drummer emerged from the trees and the wildlife was left in peace once more.
Let’s hope the people of Betws can look after this valuable asset to the community and keep it a safe home for local wildlife.
Betws Murals
Over the years Valley and Vale has worked closely with Bettws Boys And Girls Club on a number of projects and in 2007 we were asked to create some murals with the local children to brighten up the club. We decided to focus on Welsh culture and history, telling the changing history through bright and fun images designed by the children. We wanted to make the Centre brighter and also bring history to life for local children by exploring their past and discovering many things about Wales.
Working with children of all ages our Visual Arts Workers Tim Smith and Alison McGann spent a week at the Club producing a 16 foot long 'cartoon strip' depicting the history of Wales from the Ice Age to the present day. The finished murals are strikingly colourful and as well as being informative they also take a humorous view of our history. The murals are now displayed at the Bettws Boys and Girls Club for all to see.
