OPEN BOOK EXHIBITION

This exhibition features books created by local primary schools who have been involved with Salisbury Arts Centre.

These schools are:

Amesbury Archer

Durrington C of E Junior School

ExeterHouse Special School

HighburyCounty Primary School

Netheravon  Primary School

Sarum StPauls C of E Primary School

Woodford Valley C of E School

This show includes the results of the culmination of the Folk Tales and Legends Project, supported by the Prince of Wales Foundation for Children and the Arts. Last year all the schools were visited by Sarum Orchestra (resident orchestra at Salisbury Arts Centre) and the Russian witch, Baba Yaga.

During workshops pupils learnt song, dance and the story of Baba Yaga as well as being introduced to the sound of the Russian language. All the schools were invited to participate in Sarum Orchestra’s performances of Victor Unukovsky’s score of Baba Yaga . Pupils from some schools also performed at a public concert here that same evening.

In March 2008 the children made a return visit to the Arts Centre to see Josh Elwell Theatre perform Rags to Witches - an enchanting tale of Billy and his grandmother, who may be a witch, all set in the New Forest, incorporating a mix of actors, puppets and animation.

Teachers were given the opportunity to attend a workshop session, led by local artist, Prudence Maltby consisting of an exchange of ideas and discussions on how to create books in an unusual and creative way.

The “books” in this exhibition have been inspired by these activities and events.

Open Bookfeatures tomes of varying styles  –  books which move, make sounds and are constructed of diverse materials such as fabric and metal.

This Folktales and Legends Programme has been funded by The Prince’s Foundation for Children and The Arts to whom we are extremely grateful. This relationship will continue into 2009 as the Arts Centre has successfully gained a second year’s funding.