St Silas CE Primary School

Bristol-based artist Marina Moreno spent the academic year with St Silas CE Primary School in Blackburn. She staged creative interventions in the school and worked with the children on photography, dance, drama, drawing, yoga and much more.

Marina Moreno, from Italy, is an interdisciplinary artist who worked with the children of St Silas, where she explored the existing interests of the children and community, and then expanded their skills and creativity.

The residency complimented the school’s involvement in the Slow Education initiative, which helps teachers and children create deep learning experiences by putting time for curiosity, play and reflection at the heart of learning.

One of her first acts as resident artist was to set up a bed in the hallway at the school, dressed as a panda, which surprised the children on her first day! She also installed a sofa, on which the children were able to draw and doodle when they had sessions with her, in which they shared personal stories and talked about things that were important to them.