Exploring the theme of ‘Pershore Heritage’, the Number 8 Schools’ Exhibition opens to the public on Thursday 21 March. 

Each year, Number 8 Arts Centre in Pershore commissions a Worcestershire-based artist to deliver a series of workshops in local schools. Artwork created by the children is then exhibited in the professional gallery space at Number 8.

This year’s workshops were delivered by art practitioner, art historian and educator Maggi Davis. Participating schools included Abbey Park Middle School, Orchard Primary School, Holy Redeemer Catholic Primary School, St. Nicholas Church of England Middle School, and Vale of Evesham School.

Artist Maggi Davis taught a different technique in each school: sewing a button and ribbon onto felt and creating a purse with blanket-stitch, block-printing using ammonites, moulding clay to recreate medals, exposing lace to light-sensitive paper, and creating a ‘stained-glass’ picture using foil and string.

To fit the Pershore Heritage theme, each workshop was inspired by an artefact sourced from the treasure trove of historical items on display in the Pershore Heritage Centre. Kindly provided on loan by Wendy Berry from the Heritage Centre, the precious items included a leather purse c.1800 (with a bill inside for £1.0s.8d), ammonites found in the River Avon, delicate lace samples, and a commemorative medal.

The 2024 Schools’ Exhibition was generously supported by the Pershore Civic Society courtesy of a legacy from David Wynn.

Chair of Pershore Civic Society Michael Hodges said: “David Wynn died in 2021. His wife Angela died in 2018. They lived at Fladbury Mill for many years and were keen supporters of the Arts and of the Civic Society. It was David’s wish that the 2019 Number 8 Schools’ Exhibition be held in Angela’s memory. It is only right that this year we are able to honour David in a similar fashion.”

The exhibition runs until Wednesday 10 April and is open Monday to Saturday, 10am until 4pm. Admission is free. Further details are available at number8.org.

Image: Children from Abbey Park School holding lace samples from Pershore Heritage Centre