Art Works  was founded in 1996 by artist and puppeteer Steve Newton, and provides a range of creative shadow puppet and animation workshops to schools across the South West and in Ireland. Shadow puppet workshops are preceded by a shadow puppet theatre performance in his shadow puppet theatre that demonstrates to the children what magic can be produced from a simple silhouette of cut card. The shows last for 45 mins and can be performed to the whole school or just to those children attending the workshop.

“I believe in the encouragement of personal creativity. Everyone has creative potential. ART WORKS offers high quality experiences in a number of art disciplines, through which I aim to instill confidence, developing communication, creativity and a sense of fun in the groups and with the individuals with whom I work.” Steve Newton

Workshops for the day involve children making their own shadow puppets using card and coloured gels. If time allows, they devise their own simple shows in small groups and can then perform these shows to each other, or to another class. The day is suitable for Keystage 1 children upwards and you can easily see what other curricular activities are involved in such a day and what ‘follow on’ things can be planned. There are three shows to choose from. In addition Steve also provides:

Puppet Making – workshops tailored to your groups needs. All workshops are simple enough to enable the less able to produce a workable puppet and yet adaptable enough for the more able to spend time developing their puppets character.

Junk Puppets – using recycled milk containers as puppet heads are particularly popular and very adaptable - whatever your theme. I also offer training for those who wish to work with their own groups.

Mask-making – simple enough to enable the less able to produce a wearable mask and yet adaptable enough for the more able to spend time developing the masks character. The masks are created from cardboard template designs which can be built into the creature or character, using scrap card, newspaper and masking tape. The end result is remarkably strong and visually stunning. I also offer training for those who wish to work with their own groups.

Animation Workshops can be magical, but when the magicians are the children in your classroom it also becomes an enjoyable but purposeful teaching aid for many subjects. The finished animation can possess a visual novelty which helps to make the subject more appealing. The final animation can further increase your children’s self esteem by being shown on the internet or at festivals or even by being used as a direct teaching aid in other classes or schools. Because the production process can embrace varied skills including writing, drawing, sculpting, music, audio-visual design and computer literacy, it can also provide students with an opportunity to explore their individual strengths and interests across the curriculum. Stop Motion Pro is used to create the animation.

Key information

• Qualified Art Teacher with many years experience
• Enhanced Disclosure CRB
• Member of Equity
• All materials and tools supplied