Over 200 school children exhibit ‘Art on the Line’

Children from six Wherry Lines schools took part in a rail-inspired art exhibition at Lowestoft Station in December with individual works on display at local stations throughout January.

A selection of work by Somerleyton, Brundall and Reedham Primary schools is now on display at the schools’ local stations, with further locations to follow during March.

The Art on the Line project took 220 children from six local primary schools along the Wherry Lines out to visit places of interest connected to the railway and their local environment.

Back in school the children then created unique art work based on their experiences, the culmination of which saw an exhibition and prize giving at the newly-refurbished Parcel Office at Lowestoft Station in December. The exhibition highlighted the importance of the railway, both now and historically, to the communities it serves.

Children from all six schools attended an official exhibition launch on 10 December, where winners across several categories received prizes donated by rail operator Greater Anglia awarded by the Chair of Community Rail Norfolk, Peter Mayne.

The exhibition was open to the public in Lowestoft Railway Station’s Parcels Office Exhibition Space between 11 and 15 December with individual displays now at selected Wherry Lines Stations throughout January.

Art on the Line has been run in association with the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership and the Broads Authority’s Water, Mills and Marshes Landscape Partnership Scheme, with schools taking part from Brundall, Reedham, Acle, Great Yarmouth, Somerleyton and Lowestoft.

Water, Mills and Marshes, Education Officer Natasha Howard said of the project, “Art on the Line has been fantastic. Thanks to our links with the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership, we’ve been getting students out and drawing their local landscape, as well as experiencing first-hand how humans and natural processes have shaped what they see today."

Reedham Primary School:
“This experience has raised the awareness of our children - they now know what an amazing place Norfolk is and how special and unique the Broads National Park is.”

Somerleyton Primary School Head Teacher Louise Spall said, "The chance to create artwork based on their sketches has definitely engaged the children and then the bonus of exhibiting has given a sense of authenticity.”

Somerleyton School Children said:

"I am really excited to see the other children's work and learn about their area.” Chloe, aged 8.

“I enjoyed it because it will help people understand our area through our paintings.” Sophie, aged 7.