Thursday 22nd May 2008
(ref:
148/2008)
Children in Wigan have been drawing inspiration from the colourful lives and fascinating heritage of travelling folk to create some eye-catching works of art.
June has been declared the first ever Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month by the government.
The annual national event hopes to explain the history and culture of travelling communities, challenge myths, break down barriers and to celebrate the richness these communities bring.
As part of the celebrations a series of posters have been commissioned and produced by professional Gypsy artists. The posters have been used to inspire children across the country to create their own images to accompany the month-long celebration as part of a national competition.
Ann O’Shea of Wigan Council’s Traveller Education Service, is helping to organise the borough’s own celebrations and says that children have been eager to join the fun.
“All Wigan schools were invited to take part in the poster competition,” says Ann. “They have been supported by the Traveller Education Service and artists from Drumcroon. There was a fantastic response and more than 100 entries from Wigan were sent to the national competition.”
The overall winner will be made into a poster and presented to Secretary of State for Schools, Lord Adonis at the Houses of Parliament.
But Wigan’s budding designers will have their own finale to the competition on Tuesday June 3 at Leigh Town Hall.
The borough’s posters will be judged by Inspector Gail Spruce and Janet Dawber from Greater Manchester Police’s Diversity Unit.
Winners in each category will be presented with their prizes and their creations will form part of an exhibition at the Derby Rooms at the nearby Turnpike gallery until Wednesday May 30 and throughout June at Golborne High School’s new gallery.
Ann says:
“We hope that these celebrations will help raise awareness about travelling communities and provide answers to the negative stereotyping and prejudices that have grown about Travellers.
“The hard work and the enthusiasm of the children who have taken part in the competition is a shining example and we look forward to this event going from strength to strength in the years ahead.”
Notes to Editor
For more information contact Phil Green at Wigan Council’s Press Office on 01942 827369.
