In May, around 40 Year 9 and 10 Visual Arts students from Scots All Saints College had the rare opportunity to step inside artist Harrie Fasher’s working foundry at The Foundations in Portland.
The students were welcomed by Rich Evans, Chief Reactivation Officer at The Foundations, who shared some of the site’s rich history and stories of its industrial past.
The visit offered students an up-close look at Harrie’s creative world. As reported in the Scots All Saints newsletter:
“Harrie hosted a studio tour and discussion session in her enormous foundry studio, where her process and artworks were on display. Her generous hospitality and insight into leading discussions about the creative process and artistic voice was invaluable in nurturing our young artists’ own pathway and confidence in developing as artists.”
The group then split into two for hands-on workshops with Simone Darcy, who was the Squatter’s Cottage Artist in Residence at the time.
“Simone Darcy gave a hands-on workshop creating alternative photographs without a camera or darkroom. Her demonstrations led students to use natural materials and black and white photographic chemicals to generate abstract images of light and shade. These methods connected directly with the students’ current classroom practice and gave them extra skills and knowledge in ways art can stretch both tradition and technology,” the school newsletter reported.
Feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive with staff acknowledging “The kids enjoyed the magic.”
Before heading back, the students each left a personal Post-it note for Harrie, offering thanks for what one teacher described as “such a holistic and soul-filling experience.”
Our thanks go to Harrie Fasher and Simone Darcy for generously sharing their knowledge, creativity, and passion with this group of young artists.
Story and Photos by Nic Mason for Arts OutWest
