Booking required
Primary and secondary school teachers are invited to join a CPDL study day during half term. Led by Susi Sahmland from Frank Bowling’s Studio and art education consultant Emily Gopaul.
This full day workshop will delve into how artists find inspiration, using Frank Bowling’s life and work as a focal point. Get unique insight into Bowling’s journey and find out about ways to foster creativity and originality in the classroom.
Through a studio visit and practical activities, you’ll develop ways to encourage your students to seek and use their own sources of inspiration—whether personal, cultural, or material—just as professional artists do.
SCHEDULE
Morning session
- Introduction to Frank Bowling’s life, artistic practice, and inspirations, beginning with a visit to his studio.
- Exploration of a pivotal period in Bowling’s career, focusing on his transition into abstraction and the creation of his iconic work Mother’s House.
- Insights into his process and influences through a guided tour of the studio archive, providing a deeper understanding of how personal, cultural, and material elements shaped his art.
Afternoon session
- Practical guidance on teaching students how artists find inspiration in their surroundings and experiences.
- Hands-on activities to help you design classroom strategies that empower students to explore their own creativity and translate it into meaningful artwork.
BOOKING INFORMATION
Due to space limitations and high demand, we are accepting applications to attend. Please register your interest by 24 January 2025 using our online form. Priority will be given to teachers working in Southwark.
Successful applicants will be informed by 3 February 2025.
ACCESS
- Please note the study day will take place at Frank Bowling’s studio, near Elephant & Castle.
- The studio is on the ground floor, accessed via a cobbled street.
- We have 3 x £90 bursaries available to cover childcare costs for participants wishing to attend where this would be a barrier
ABOUT FRANK BOWLING
Frank Bowling is one of the foremost British artists of his generation. Born in British Guiana in 1934, he moved to London in 1953 and quickly made his mark, securing the silver medal for painting at the prestigious Royal College of Art in 1962. Bowling is best-known for his abstract paintings which can be seen in museum collections all over the world. Ambitious in scale and scope, Bowling’s mastery of the painted medium and explorations of light, colour, and geometry has produced extraordinary bodies of work.
ABOUT SUSI SAHMNLAND
Susi Sahmland looks after educational outreach for the Frank Bowling studio. She works closely with schools, galleries and museums and has written (with a colleague from Goldsmiths) a unit of work on Frank’s paintings. Susi taught KS1 to KS5 in central London schools for 22 years before doing an MA in Leadership in Education at the Institute of Education in 2013 and is now Senior Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London. Susi regularly speaks at conferences, workshops and network meetings in the UK and Germany.
ABOUT EMILY GOPAUL
Emily Gopaul is a London-born art educator, artist and art education consultant of Indo-Guyanese descent. Emily is the founder of The Primary Art Class and Art and Design subject lead at Oak National Academy. Her pronouns are she/her/hers. With extensive experience in teaching and leading art in both primary and secondary schools, Emily has established herself as a respected figure in the field of art education. Currently, Emily operates through her company, The Primary Art Class, where she works as an art educational consultant and advocate. Her expertise is sought after by educational and cultural organizations. Emily has worked with renowned institutions such as Teach First, Findel, Tate, BBC Bitesize, BBC Teach, The Crafts Council, Freelands Gallery (Artistteacher), NSEAD, and The Thackray Museum, among others. She is deeply passionate about ensuring that art education is not only inclusive but also actively works against racism. Emily believes in the transformative power of art and its potential to challenge societal biases and promote equity. Through her work with NSEAD and other platforms, she advocates for anti-racist practices and strives to create learning environments where every student feels valued and represented.