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After the success of entering the ARTiculation competition last year and the impact it had on student confidence, we had the opportunity to support students and build their public speaking skills with a Discovery Day run by ARTiculation.

ARTiculation is a national and international public speaking initiative, championing the appreciation and discussion of art.

Six students from the Fine Art A Level course attended the session where they were split into groups with students from other schools. Each group was given a painting to research from the Courtauld Gallery display, and told they were not allowed to use their phones to support them. This meant they had to rely on sources such as books and their own interpretation of the painting. The three paintings they researched were:

Paul Cezanne’s The Card Players

Paul Gaugin’s Nevermore

and Frank Auerbach’s Rebuilding the Empire.

The students were supported in opening up dialogue and debate within the groups through in-depth analysis of the paintings. This was led by education outreach workers at the Courtauld. They also had the chance to talk to the curator of the gallery to learn about how it arranged the work and how that impacted on the viewers' experience.

After the students had researched the artworks in their groups they then had to present their research in front of the painting in the gallery space. This was obviously a daunting experience and all students made huge progress throughout the day, learning skills that will support them not only in their art studies but in all aspects of their lives to come.

This experience will now support students in choosing an art work to research and discuss for the in-school heat of the ARTiculation competition 2017. One student will be put forward to take part in the reginal heat which will take place early next year.

What teachers said...

Jose Campos: This day was full of challenges that made students confront fears and make personal growth. I loved seeing them in this ‘real world’ situation having to be fully present and having to deal with life. The day made art real.

Clare Stanhope: The increased confidence of the students was incredible. I was extremely proud of how they all threw themselves into a situation which many of them found very challenging.

What students said...

Ahamed – The workshop has helped me to speak confidently to an audience and adapt my skills for the group.

Lucia – The workshop has helped me to overcome my fear (of public speaking).

Omash – The  work shop has helped me gain a lot of confidence.