A new show of work by children is coming to Brighton’s Coach House gallery, with a weekend of public viewing on January 17 and 18.
The exhibition is inspired by Margaret Shillan, an artist and educator who held classes at the gallery and travelled internationally to teach children and adults who had limited access to art.
Sara Jane, a creative artist and medical herbalist who has set up the Coach House, said: “The initial inspiration was to carry on the legacy of lady called Margaret Shillan who inspired creativity and shared the value of the creative process with so many.
“Margaret held art classes here at At The Coach House and travelled all over the world teaching in schools to children and adults who are less privileged.
“She was very much loved and her love for nature was often reflected in her work.
“We wanted to pay a tribute to Margaret and ensure that her wonderful work and influence carries on into the world encouraging creativity.”
The idea for a children’s exhibition came about after a young neighbour, who took part in last year’s Artist Open House at the age of eight, expressed a keen interest in exhibiting again.
All children were invited to take part by submitting handwritten letters explaining why they wanted to exhibit – an exercise designed to promote the lost art of letter writing.
Ms Jane said: “I would write a handwritten letter back confirming their entry. all children were able to exhibit.”
The exhibition is themed Where the sound go?, with participants encouraged to respond creatively to questions such as: Where does sound come from?
Prompts included the noise inside a shell, a cat purring, rain falling through trees and the sound of hands clapping.
Children were told there was no right or wrong approach, and could express their ideas through painting, music, storytelling, dance, or film.
Artworks are not priced, but if a member of the public wishes to purchase a piece and the young artist agrees, the transaction will be handled privately between the artist and buyer.
