The Visual Arts Department opened its doors once again to the public for the annual Big Draw event at Durham Sixth Form Centre. The festival is a worldwide celebration that promotes the universal language of drawing as a tool for learning, expression and invention. It is made up of a collection of thousands of creative events, activities and workshops across the globe run by organisations big and small; from individuals to entire cities!

Our event attracted over 250 visitors and was a huge success enjoyed by families, students, artists and members of the local community. Everyone engaged in a wide variety of workshops and an excellent time was had by all! We also invited people from our existing community programme. It is part of the school vision for 2025 that we ‘further enhance and progress our arts outreach’ and this event played a significant role. We are really proud to see that our student volunteers worked professionally alongside practising artists and organisations. There were 30 student volunteers in total, each contributing greatly to the event and its preparation. 

The activities on the day included artist workshops with The Laing Gallery and Rosi Thornton, collaborative drawing and printing with Lizzie Lovejoy, colourful sculptures with artist in residence Paul Raymond, pop up paper with Dr Qi Fang Colbert and a colourful photo booth with props. Our exhibition hosted an obliteration room made by visitors in the style of artist Yayoi Kusama. This involved visitors covering a white space with thousands of stickers in a growing installation. Graphics and Illustration lecturers at the University of Sunderland also delivered illustration and lino print workshops. Finally, members of NEATEN (The North East Art Teacher/Educator Network) welcomed people to join in with large scale weaving, a mindfulness and zentangle activity and face painting.