The site of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich has developed and adapted since the Tudor period. However, the buildings we see today were not planned until the 18th century, when Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to create a place for the relief and support of seamen and their dependants.
Painted Hall, the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich © nick.garrod, flickr.com
Like most buildings, their use has changed over the years. As the occupants changed so too the buildings changed to suit their purposes. Through this process of change, occupants have also tried to make the buildings more beautiful.
A beautiful invitation
Rachel Vikentiou, a teacher at Wingfield Primary School, was interested in how art can improve an ugly place. Jo Hall from the Greenwich Foundation wanted to inspire a group of young people through the Old Royal Naval College site to create a piece of artwork for the new Discover Greenwich Centre. They partnered together through the 2009/10 Engaging Places network, and Jo sent an invitation to Rachel’s class to create a work of art for the centre.
Historical influence
Rachel’s year 3 students were delighted to receive the invitation. They have begun working on the project in class across subjects including, history, art and design, geography, maths and science lessons.
On their first visit to the Old Royal Naval College, Jo told them stories about the buildings and the people who had live there. Soon the students had their sketchbooks out and began to fill them with observational drawings, rubbings and photographs, to inform their artwork.
The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich © chrislee-cm, flickr.com
Art in a box
During the 2010 spring term Rachel’s class will visit the Old Royal Naval College three more times, looking at how art has been used to improve the site and how art reflects the site’s history.
As the project develops each student will create a small painting, sculpture and a tile that will fill a shoe box, telling the story of their experience of the project. The shoe box will be decorated and on one side will depict a section of the King Charles elevation. When the boxes are stacked together the whole elevation will be seen - this will be exhibited at the Discover Greenwich Centre summer 2010.
Interested in running a similar project?
Gain more ideas and inspiration from these teaching resources:
- A collection of architecture inspired art activities
- Design inspired by buildings: teaching resources
- Resource: Beautify your school grounds by decorating the school fences
The Engaging Places network
To find out about other partnerships and projects developing through the Engaging Places network visit the 2009/10 Engaging Places network article.
