Mini Residency
Derw Bach Preschool artist in residence with Sue Hunt
I like making things with the leaves
I liked squishing the clay
I liked making lots of things
Derw Bach preschool worked with artist in residence Sue Hunt at the Nursery, at Oriel Davies Gallery and in Newtown’s parkland. Children took inspiration from paintings on loan from the Contemporary Collection, National Museum and Art Gallery, Cardiff.
Funding for the residency from CELF: National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales enabled the Artist, Gallery and Preschool to build a relationship whilst embarking on the residency.
Derw Bach Preschool is within walking distance of the Gallery and are regular visitors, always returning to the setting to respond to what they have seen in our exhibitions.
We made two visits to Derw Bach beforehand and met online with Sue to discuss content and plans. We learnt where children were at with learning and development and how preschool staff create a nurturing, safe, inspiring environment where activities are child led.
Images Grace Springer
More children are now taking part in creative activities including those who were previously not interested, some transferring skills/knowledge to woodwork and mark making and outdoor playSarah Rowlands Preschool Manager
Sue Hunt is a painter based in Cardiff and showed work in our exhibition Dialogue as part of the CELF exhibition with other contemporary Welsh artists and loans from the Davies Collection and Contemporary Collection , National Museum and Art Gallery of Wales in Cardiff.
Sue's generous and considered approach to the residency enabled children to explore and experiment with new and inclusive processes. There was no right way of doing things, every creative contribution was valued and celebrated.
The children have developed skills not only with expressive arts but also in language, personal and social, numeracy, health and well-being, science and understanding of the worldSarah Rowlands Preschool Manager
The residency was captured by photographer Grace Springer and designs for our outside exhibition space created by Joby of Colour Format. Welshpool Print Group printed the designs at large scale.
