Sculpture

Two half-day activities suitable for KS1/KS2 

The first session is based around the University of Leicester's permanent sculpture collection. In the introduction, we discuss what a sculpture is and what materials are suitable.

Children visit the 12 sculptures in small groups. Each group will be given an information card that gives detail about each artist and their work. Children choose a sculpture to sketch within its setting, while recording the material from which it is made, and another to make a detailed drawing of part of a sculpture. Then, inspired by everything they have seen, they make their own sculpture from clay, to take home.

The second part of the day focuses on the artistic use of natural materials. It starts by looking at examples of artist's and other children's work - how materials can be used to form pictures, patterns and three-dimensional shapes. The children are then given a bag to collect materials from around the Garden, to make a group sculpture. Groups choose their own setting and design a natural sculpture together. Time is allowed for groups to look at each other's work.

• Availability: All year
• Age group: KS1 and KS2
• Numbers: One /two classes (about 70 children) per day
• Duration: a full school day (for one class, a half-day is available to do one of the two sessions) 
• Cost: Please visit our programme costs page