East Budleigh art project led by Alan Cotton

Drakes Primary pupils work on show at Northcott Theatre for Exeter Festival

CHILDREN of Drakes Primary School, East Budleigh brought in stories and pictures of their grandparents, when Colaton Raleigh artist Alan Cotton, launched a project that will become part of the Exeter Children’s Literary Festival, this week.

Floella Benjamin, Chancellor of Exeter University – known as TV’s Play School presenter from the ‘80s - asked long-time friend Alan to work with children to produce an exhibition of writings and paintings to be exhibited at the Northcott Theatre throughout the Festival.

Alan Cotton and Sadie Medway from the Devon Art Advisory Group, spent an exhilarating day with the pupils, who produced both individual paintings, drawings and writings about their grandparents or other senior members of their family and also two large group collages.

The work is now on show at the Northcott Theatre until Sunday, November 7.

It coincides with the publication of Floella’s new children’s book My Two Granddads, which will be launched at the Festival when she gives a children’s performance of readings and music at the Northcott Theatre at 11am on Saturday. Tickets available from the Box Office.

Alan Cotton said: “It has been great fun working with the children and seeing the amazing, imaginative work they have produced. I am much looking forward to seeing the exhibition at the Northcott Theatre and meeting Floella, after the performance, with a group of children.”