CHILDREN from the Gaunless Valley filled the halls and galleries of The Bowes Museum to explore the coal mining heritage of their area in creative ways.
Pupils from primary schools in Woodland, Butterknowle, Evenwood and Cockfield used the works of artist Norman Cornish to inspire their own music, poetry and artwork.
Musician Donald Knaack used items found in a junkyard, such as old car wheel hubs, to help the youngsters recreate the sounds that might be heard in the mining scenes created by Norman Cornish, while Tony Gadd helped them recreate the scenes in rap poetry.
The museum’s education co-ordinator, Julia Dunn, took the children on a tour of the Norman Cornish exhibition before encouraging pupils to make their own sketches.
Art co-ordinator for Cockfield Primary School Lyndsey Hargraves said: “I think it is wonderful that the children can experience their local history and culture in this way.
“Some of them have never been on a visit here even though the museum is on their doorstep.
“The music session was extraordinary.”
Cockfield pupil Isla Milroy said: “I liked it a lot. I liked everything we did but the
best was the sketching. My favourite is the Norman Cornish self-portrait.”
