SCHOOL children from Aspley have visited one of the world's top art galleries.
Twenty youngsters from Ambleside and Rosslyn Primary Schools visited the Tate Modern, in London, to gain inspiration for their own artwork in class.
The youngsters also quizzed the Tate's director, Sir Nicholas Serota, over his love of art.
For many of the children it was their first visit to London.
Ambleside is one of 16 primary and secondary schools in the city currently benefiting from an educational partnership with the Nottingham Contemporary gallery.
The year-long partnership ends in September and has so far seen youngsters receive tuition from four professional artists.
At Ambleside, the children have been challenged to create a "memory chain" out of card and ribbon.
They have used any item that has meant something to them, and then written a description of it and the memories it ignites. They were then asked to make a piece of pottery.
Jason used an image created by his artist dad, Neil, as inspiration for his memory chain. He said: "I used one of dad's drawings of a man with wavy hair all flowing in space. I chose that because dad inspired me with all his work and drawings."
Some schools have also looked at how to use art to develop speech and reading.
Sir Nick, who is an advocate of art in education, said: "The great thing about art is that it opens kids' imaginations to the world.
"If you live in an inner-city area, like these kids in Nottingham, it can really begin to stretch their imaginations."
Alex Farquharson, director at the Nottingham Contemporary, said: "We are delighted to be able to make this contribution to education in the city.
"It's fantastic to get kids out of the classroom and in front of art and seeing their responses to it. We're hoping to continue the scheme."
As a result of the visit, Rosslyn Primary is considering setting up an arts club at the school.
Theresa Buttery, the school's older phase manager for years 4, 5, and 6, said: "We did a workshop at the Nottingham Contemporary before it opened and now have pupils who are art ambassadors who promote it in school.
"It is at this age when you develop an interest in art. To see them here at the Tate, engaging and wanting to get down on their knees and sketch at every opportunity is amazing."
The children also received a sneak preview of sculptures by Alberto Giacometti that are due to be loaned to Nottingham Contemporary from the Tate Modern in July.
Rosslyn pupil Jordan Stevenson, ten, said: "I really like them. Some of them look like a model I made in school."
Classmate Kyle Clarke, 10, of Aspley, said: "These are my favourite. I just love staring at them."
The pupils' visit to the Tate Modern was arranged by Nottingham City Council's deputy leader, Graham Chapman, who represents the Aspley ward.
Mr Chapman said: "I'm particularly pleased with how the boys have responded to it.
"The best moment was when one of the lads knelt down in front of a sculpture and started drawing it spontaneously.
"What makes this trip all the more relevant is that there is a danger of the arts being squeezed out of the curriculum. Nottingham has got a very good creative sector, and what we need to do is to grow our own talent in the city."
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