School’s South Downs mural goes on display at train station
October 21, 2014
A mural painted by students from Chatsmore Catholic High School in Worthing to inspire people to visit the South Downs National Park by train was unveiled at West Worthing Station on Tuesday 21 October.
The mural is the culmination of a project which began in October 2013 with a field trip where students aged 12-16 investigated some of the things that make the South Downs National Park special – starting with how easy it is to reach by train. The students then created posters based on ‘Natural Forms’ for their GCSE coursework which went on display at Worthing Museum and five railway stations across West Sussex.
The 5.5 metre by 2 metre painting, which will go on display in the bike shelter, shows two cyclists heading to the hills through a field of corn. It took the students four days to create.
Kiara Smith, a Year 10 Student at Chatsmore, said: “I was lucky enough to take part in both the photography and the painting of the mural for this project and thought it was an amazing experience. We were able to go on a visit to the South Downs, ride in Land rovers and look around the Amberley museum and village. We got to experience what it is like to work to a brief like a professional artist would do in industry and the best bit is seeing our artwork up in our local community.”
“Wherever you go on the South Downs, there is beauty. Wherever you walk you can always see something quite spectacular. Whatever time of year or season, it is the perfect place to go. The poster was aimed to mirror these ideas and I hope the mural will make people want to visit.”
Caroline Woodward, who teaches at the school, said:
“We had a lot of fun out exploring the National Park and taking lots of photos last autumn which the students responded to in their posters and have now combined into this final piece of art work. We looked at things like the architecture, rural crafts, landscape, wildlife and history of the area – it’s amazing to have a resource like the South Downs on our doorstep and be able to use it to bring the curriculum to life.”
Amanda Elmes, learning and outreach lead for the South Downs National Park Authority, said:
“It’s just brilliant to see how these young people have thrown their imaginations into the task, it was exciting to see the posters on display and great that this mural will be a lasting record of their work.
“This is just one of a whole series of projects which inspire people to use buses, trains, walking and cycling in the South Downs National Park.”
The project has received support from the South Downs National Park Authority’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund. This aims to encourage local communities across the South Downs to develop their own projects which inspire and promote the use of buses, trains, walking and cycling by both visitors and the people who live here.
As well as the South Downs National Park Authority and Chatsmore Catholic High School the project is supported by Southern Rail, the Arun Valley Community Rail Partnership and local artists who worked with students alongside the Art department staff on the Mural at West Worthing.
Andy Harrowell, CSR & Partnership Manager for Southern, said:
“We’ve greatly enjoyed the partnership with Chatsmore and the art previously produced for Worthing has really brightened up the waiting rooms at the station. We’re looking forward to further showcasing the work of the students and helping to promote sustainable travel to the beautiful South Downs area.”