University News Last updated 04 July 2016
Sixty Year 6 Birmingham school pupils are to unveil their future aspirations at a Birmingham City University exhibition next week, as part of a photography and creative writing project aimed at boosting self-confidence.
The ‘Picture This’ project promotes further education and is designed to assist with the transition from primary to senior school, consisting of a series of in-school creative workshops and culminating in a two-week exhibition of the school children’s art work.
Participating schools include Timberley Academy, The Oval School and Hillstone Primary School, where pupils were tasked with photographing sources of inspiration and writing creative pieces about what the images represent.
Local artist and ‘Picture This’ project leader, Sharon Corbett, said: "The project aims to motivate and empower young people to consider how they might achieve their ambitions in the future."
Workshops were delivered by Sharon in partnership with Birmingham City University's Schools and Colleges Liaison team, a partner of Aimhigher West Midlands. Workshops were funded by the National Networks for Collaborative Outreach (NNCO).
"It's been a fascinating project where we’ve been engaging with local communities around the themes of aspiration, inspiration and motivation", said Sarah Felton, Schools and Colleges Liaison Manager at Birmingham City University.
"Visitors to the exhibition can expect to see some really inspiring stories and images."
Photographs and stories will be displayed as framed poster prints until 20 July.
On describing their work, one student from Timberley Academy said: "I took this picture in a different way to all the others. I like it because it looks like it's pointing up to my future. I want to head up!"
The ‘Picture This’ exhibition opens on 11 July and takes place on Level 2 of Millennium Point.