Young creative minds mark Children's Mental Health Week at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum

The pieces were produced during workshops at the Bawnmore Road school run by the art gallery and museum's learning and engagement team.

The workshops, which took place during November's National Self Care Week, explored the mental health benefits of creativity and the arts, with each workshop inspired by artists featured in the Rugby Collection of contemporary art.

The school's reception class workshop created mixed media pop art in the manner of Piet Mondrian and Edward Paolozzi, while pre-school pupils took inspiration from Elizabeth McAlpine, spraying fabric and coffee filters to create mesmerising designs.

Year One pupils made 'balance' sculptures inspired by Barbara Hepworth, while Year Two pupils created collages celebrating the distinctive style of LS Lowry.

A selection of works created at the workshops has now gone on display at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum's community space in the venue's foyer to mark Children's Mental Health Week.

Launched by children's mental health charity Place2Be, this year's Children's Mental Health Week has the theme 'Know Yourself, Grow Yourself' and aims to encourage young people to embrace self-awareness and develop the resilience to overcome life's challenges.

Phoebe Hilton, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum's senior learning and engagement officer, said a number of studies had demonstrated a link between creativity and the arts with increased mental wellbeing - including boosting the body's release of the 'happy hormone' dopamine.  

"Studies have also highlighted the benefits of creativity specifically for children, improving social and observational skills, reducing hyperactivity, and building self-confidence and empathy," Phoebe added.

"Creativity also gives children an outlet to express ideas and explore emotions, while reducing stress, which supports mental wellbeing and has a positive impact on day-to-day life."

The pupils' work remains on display in the Little Elborow Street venue's community space until Sunday 2 March.

Cllr Maggie O'Rourke, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for partnerships and wellbeing, said: "The learning and engagement team at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum have long promoted the benefits of arts and culture to mental health, and it's great to see schools recognise the importance of learning about mental wellbeing from an early age.

"The pupils have created a range of fantastic art works for the display, including sculptures, prints and collages, and it's definitely well worth a visit."

Cllr Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council's Liberal Democrat spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, said: "It's fitting the art works created during National Self Care Week can now mark Children's Mental Health Week at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.

"We hope the children who took part in the workshops enjoyed the experience of expressing themselves through these works of art."

For more information about exhibitions and events at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, visit www.ragm.co.uk.