Pupils at Forest Fields create unusual art to celebrate the
history of the Tram in Nottingham

On Wednesday 1st April, Forest Field Primary Year 5 pupils, teachers and parents will be working with Spiral Arts to produce a very unusual artwork to celebrate the history of the tram. This is a combination of a Well-Dressing and Rangoli to create a unique image reflecting the changing tram in Nottingham over the years, using flowers, seeds, spices, grains and other natural materials. The children have been doing this research as part of “Tram Travellers” – a Heritage Lottery funded project which is being run by Groundwork Greater Nottingham and supported by NET - Nottingham Express Transit.

Traditionally, well dressing frames are soaked in the local river before being packed with clay. A design is marked out onto the clay and then each section is carefully and painstakingly covered with individual flower petals, leaves, seeds, coffee beans, feathers and stones to complete the design. Similarly, Rangoli designs are marked out in crushed stone or coloured chalk, and filled with grains, pulses and flowers. The artwork will use these two techniques to make a picture showing the history of Nottingham trams, incorporating designs from Forest Fields pupils.

Jenny Anthony of Spiral Arts said:
“We are delighted to be working with the young people of Forest Fields Primary School on this exciting well dressing and rangoli artwork. In this project we are hoping to explore, inform and inspire people about both traditional art forms incorporating the local heritage and celebrating greener transport.”

Sue Hoyland, Head Teacher at Forest Fields said:
“We would like to thank Groundwork for the marvelous experiences that our pupils have received learning about the trams, and also Spiral Arts for the chance to finish the project in such an unusual and artistic way.”

Tracey Lloyd, Tram Travellers Project Officer at Groundwork Greater Nottingham said: “The children have had a great time researching the history of trams and how their area has changed since trams first came to Nottingham. They used their findings in their designs for this spectacular artwork and we were very impressed with the quality of their work and the ideas they came up with.”

The finished artwork will be displayed for a week at the New Art Exchange. Skinder Hundal, Chief Executive, New Art Exchange said, "We are very happy to be working with Groundwork, Spiral Arts, and the children of Forest Fields Primary School in being able to facilitate this special Rangoli artwork / well dressing at New Art Exchange. We are always looking to work with local schools, arts practitioners and the local community, to produce and facilitate contemporary art, in all of its forms. A key part of this is education and development with young people, and allowing them to express themselves through art. We look forward to seeing the exhibit on display here, and welcoming the young new artists from Forest Fields Primary School."

The Tram Travellers project continues until summer 2010, and as it is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, it is free for schools. Interested schools within walking distance of a tram stop, are invited to register a class for one of the last 6 places on the scheme. The wider community will also benefit as the children’s findings will go on display along with artwork that they produce. All of the work will eventually be gathered into a celebration booklet.

If anyone has any memories, photos or memorabilia of Nottingham trams that they would like to share with the project, they should contact Tracey Lloyd or Martin Curtis at Groundwork Greater Nottingham on 0115 9788212.