Our beloved Griffin Arts Festival (GAF) burst into life this week, filling the school with energy, colour, and creativity!
This year’s theme — Imagine — has ignited curiosity and inspired pupils across every year group to dream boldly, explore new techniques, and stretch the limits of their imagination. From dance and dioramas to mood boards and mosaics, every child has been encouraged to create fearlessly and think beyond the ordinary.
A key source of inspiration this year has been our featured artist, Alma Thomas — a trailblazing American painter celebrated for her vibrant, abstract work. Alma made history as the first African American woman to earn an art degree from Howard University and later became the first Black woman to hold a solo art exhibition at the White House. After dedicating 35 years to teaching, she pursued her art full-time and found fame in her 70s, reminding us all that it’s never too late to follow your passions.
With Alma’s bold colours and enduring spirit guiding us, here’s a look at what’s been happening across the school so far:
Reception have been exploring colourful patterns with paint, drawing directly from Alma Thomas’s iconic style. Their classrooms have been transformed into mini galleries, brimming with joyful artwork.
Year 1 took a hands-on approach, crafting individual Alma-inspired mosaics from coloured paper. These will be combined into large-scale collaborative pieces, celebrating both teamwork and the power of colour.
Year 2 focused on repetition and movement, experimenting with intricate patterns in paint. Their final pieces have already captured the attention of visitors and staff alike!
Across Key Stage 1, children took part in a vibrant range of GAF workshops. From sewing and “shout art” to diorama-building, spirograph creations, and even Beebot-generated art, creativity took on every imaginable form. Some pupils also had the chance to take part in a live Zoom workshop with the Royal Opera House — an unforgettable experience exploring Alice in Wonderland through storytelling and ballet.
Year 3 explored the technique of pointillism, using tiny dots of colour to create detailed artworks in homage to Alma Thomas.
Years 3 & 4 threw themselves into the ‘Explode Your Imagination’ workshop, designing vibrant compositions and inventing fantastical creatures — a joyful fusion of storytelling and art.
Pupils in Years 3 & 4 also became Eco Artists with visiting artist Kieran Poole, using recycled materials to craft thought-provoking pieces focused on environmental themes and sustainability.
Year 5 have been developing expressive mood boards, layering images, textures, and colours to evoke emotion and inspire deeper creative thinking. They also turned their focus inward with bold self-portraits — a beautiful celebration of identity, influenced by the work of Alma Thomas.
Year 6 have delved into the world of abstract art, exploring the vibrant work of Wassily Kandinsky. They recreated his pieces and used them as inspiration for their own unique interpretations. Alongside this, they wowed the school community with three spectacular performances of Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies — a true highlight of the week!
We’re incredibly proud of our young artists and look forward to sharing even more of their work with you. Stay tuned for photo galleries, updates, and details of our end-of-festival celebration!
