Programme Highlight: Arts Awards

Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village supports young people in achieving their Bronze Arts Awards from Trinity College. We work in partnership with STAR project (Waverley Federation) and Surrey County Council to invite young people to spend one day a week for six weeks at Watts Gallery - Artists' Village, working with an artist and our Learning Team. Taking inspiration from the collection at Watts Gallery – Artists' Village, young people are supported to achieve a Bronze Arts Award.

I had to write and say an enormous thank you for my child's involvement in STAR project. Seeing beaming face telling me what has done each week was just fabulous. I truly mean it when I say STAR has been a blessing for my child and for our whole family.

- Parent of Art for All Community Learning Programme participant from STAR

I've done more work in an hour at Watts Gallery than I do in a day at school.

- Art for All Community Learning Programme participant from STAR

Watercolour panels containing different sketches inspired by Celtic designs

The STAR project is part of the Waverley Federation, an Alternative Learning Provision in Surrey for secondary school students who benefit from alternative support, which provides participants with the opportunity to achieve Bronze Arts Awards. The STAR project serves Broadwater, Glebelands, Rodborough and Woolmer Hill Schools.

I have enjoyed the STAR course at Watts Gallery, I don't learn much at school because I struggle to pay attention. I like art, I feel different here, I feel my drawings are better and I feel more confident.

- Art for All Community Learning Programme participant from the STAR Project

Pencil sketch of a celtic knot

It's incredibly rewarding to work on the STAR project, seeing the raised self-esteem of the participants who often perceive themselves as low achievers is fabulous.

- Art for All Artist and Tutor

Watercolour painting of the sun in shades of blue, yellow and red

The Art for All community project has been a lifeline for the STAR students who have engaged with it this year. Their day at Watts soon becomes their favourite day of the week and they are always sad to finish the course. The Bronze Award gives them a unique opportunity to achieve success and recognition for their work and helps cement a love of art which they will carry with them forever. The impact of this increased self-esteem back at school is extraordinary.

- George Knight, Former Director, Waverly Federation