The Mad Hatter’s art- tea Party at Rydon Community College

The project was part of the national ‘Big Draw 2013’ which involves fifteen countries, with more than 200,000 people of all ages expected to take part in over 900 events.

Since its launch in 2000, The Big Draw has successfully supported the Campaign for Drawing’s aims by encouraging everyone to draw.

At Rydon the Art department decided on the theme of ‘The Mad Hatter’s ART-tea Party’.

The Art room was set up like a huge ‘Alice in Wonderland’ tea party full of tea pots, candle sticks, sandwiches and jam tarts. There was bunting made from decks of cards and lots of excited children!

During the Art lessons the students took part in various observation drawing studies of the decorated party table. They worked in different media, used lots of techniques and even played musical chairs to move around the display. Even the Art teacher, Mrs Modder got into character by dressing up as Alice!

On Tuesday 15th afternoon, parents, siblings and staff were all invited to come along and take part in the drawing activities.

It was a very busy afternoon with some very talented parents and staff showing off their artistic skills.

Some year 8 students became creative by making mini top hats inspired by a character in ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Lots of imaginative hats were made that would have impressed Lewis Carroll!

Following from the success of all the Art work, selected Gifted and Talented year 8 pupils were invited to attend a special workshop to decide how all the drawings will be displayed.

They decided on creating three large mixed media collages with different themes of the Queen of Hearts, Alice and of course the Mad Hatter.

hen these are completed these will be displayed in the school for all to see.

Later in the workshop they looked at some prints by Salvador Dali who produced a series of illustrations for ‘Alice in Wonderland’ in 1969. They were inspired by his confident use of bright colours and strange images to create their own illustrations for the story.

The whole week was a lot of fun for all the students who experienced a different ways of drawing. Mrs Modder, the Head of Art said: “It has been such a great success and I feel we have really achieved what the ethos of the Big Draw is about, to allow everyone to engage in Art.”

Copy and pictures submitted by Rydon Community College