Art

Artistic Explanations

Miss Fazackerley writes:

My memories of the Art department span many years back to 1976 when I was a pupil in 3T (Year 7) with a very stern Mrs Shuttleworth in charge as Head of Art and Craft. Mary Shuttleworth was legendary: you definitely did not misbehave if you wanted to escape alive from the art studios! Early memories include very silent drawing lessons, where you could just hear the ‘sweet sound’ of pencils on paper. How things have changed! I still have my ‘Madonna and Child’ ceramic sculpture which I made with Miss Spencer – who went on to become Mrs Cole when she married shortly after I arrived in the senior school. I also have fond memories of collecting sheep’s fleece, carding and dyeing it and eventually knitting it to make a purse after our week-long visit to Cautley House (the precursor to Patterdale Hall). Watercolour painting featured highly in Mrs Cole’s lessons and we all contributed to the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations (1977) by hand painting commemorative bookmarks in our art lessons.

Having chosen ‘O’ Level Art, I was thrilled to be taught by the new and trendy art teacher, Mrs Ann Chambers. I can definitely say that she was the inspirational teacher I aspired to be like! Art lessons became the highlight of the week, and I remember clearly that this was the turning point for me – from being quite good at drawing to being a committed artist with an interest beyond the curriculum. I began to investigate possible career paths in Art, and so started the journey which would eventually lead me back to Bolton School over 25 years later.

Emma Jackson Y11 Laura Hainey Y12 Laura Hainey Y12

Aleena Dhokia Y11 Iman Orths Y12

Robyn Lomas Y13 Annie Linfitt Y12

Jessica Broome Y13 Portia Riding Y11 Iman Orths Year 12

Nuala Fowler Y12

Millie Adamson Y11 Ella Tobin Y11

Mrs Fisher writes:

When I began my career at Bolton School in 1983, it was an exciting time for the Art Department. We were just about to move into newly equipped, purpose built, bright and sunny art studios!

In the 1980s, studying Art was very different at Bolton School. The ‘O’ level examination consisted of a 2 1/2 hour drawing exam! We also taught an Art History lesson every week with slides and a projector. Coursework was introduced in the late 1980s when GCSEs came on the scene. Prior to the new A-level around 1990, you could take Art, Weaving, Pottery and for a couple of years, Craft A Level. When Miss Panton was headmistress, she made the decision to move the Art Department to its current location. The rooms we moved into previously accommodated the Girls’ Juniors and their library! So they moved out and we moved in, but the drawers have never fitted since! The kilns lived for a while in the music room by the dinner queue. Over time, walls have been moved and new sinks fitted and A12 was created as a much needed A Level Art studio.

In terms of much needed, I could not talk about changes in the Art Department without mentioning the terrific Technicians and Support Assistants. In 1989, our indispensable Mrs Phyl Rushton, mother of old girl Justine, and Ceramics expert, joined the crew and has supported the Department and girls through thick and thin over the years. In my 33 years at school, I have witnessed and experienced a lot of changes in the Art Department. But what has been unwaveringly consistent is the commitment of the staff to facilitate and encourage the highest possible standards from the super girls we teach.