When I was young and curious, museums were the richest field from which my artistic talents sprouted. So when I was asked to accompany teenage artists to Hampton Court Palace to assist the Bronze Arts Award programme, I was excited to sow the seeds of my dream again.
How much time has changed! In the old days, I proudly dressed myself up in a crisp-ironed dress, carefully packed an apron and reference book with a little drawing kit in an oversized rucksack. My counterparts today however were chilling in their Converses and GAP hoodies at our cosy converted ex-stable, the Jessie Mylne Education Centre and fiddling with their iPhones (interesting, as we were going to make a palace inspired animation at the end of the programme).
We travelled from Fulham to Hampton court. Historically speaking, Fulham Palace had a close relationship with Hampton Court; the former was home to spiritual leaders whilst the latter was that of worldly powers, these two parties often visited each other by boat via the river Thames. However, today’s 12 delegates, including seven young artists: Arman, Abdul, Lilla, Alex, Harriet, Ibonia and Orlando, two of their mums , our learning officer, Lettie and assistant, Olivia and me, Angie, were sitting together on the South West train wondering about what we were going to conquer.
Although I’d been to Hampton Court last year, when they had gigantic celebration events of the Georgian Kings, this time I got a rare opportunity to explore the palace from an educator’s perspective. I must say, the harmony between well-trained (and well-costumed) guides and clever set learning resources stimulated the young artists to reinterpret every corner and aspect of life in the palace with genuine expertise.
So many things, so little time! Our favourites: Number one, Hampton Court’s Movie Maker project. Hundreds and thousands of drawings from children about people and treasures in the palace were turned into a 360-degree cinema. The colour and voice from the children was vivid and dynamic and so was our ambition to excel with our own version later. Number two, Henry VIII’s tapestries. They were hung on the wall so seamlessly that we almost thought it was a mural.
The programme continued back at Fulham using photographs taken from Hampton Court and hand written journals as a reference. The teenage artists also helped younger visitors’ with art activities during Halloween events using the knowledge and inspiration they gained through the trip while they were busily working on their stop-motion animation.
Finally, our artists’ efforts bear abundant fruits; their amazing animation was screened at the Jessie Mylne Education Centre. I felt truly rewarded that we, together, had harvested a meaningful creation about our beloved heritages. It used to be that I loved secret stories from museums but now I gain even greater pleasure from making it more engaging for imaginative kids!
Angie Kim
Volunteer Learning Assistant