Nov 09, 2022
Every November for the last 20 years, I have been responsible for ‘the best Art trip in Year 12’ by bringing a minibus full of excited and enthusiastic A Level students down the A11 from Norfolk to the Curwen Print Study Centre.
My association and friendship with Lorraine Chitson - Centre Director and the Curwen Print Study Centre began when I was an NQT at Wymondham College, back in November 2003 with my first ever A Level class. Before we left the College campus my colleague said you will love it at Curwen – she was not wrong, which is why I have been coming back ever since and why over the last 9 years, I have also introduced my Year 9 students to the joy of printmaking through the Curwen outreach programme. Teaching dry point etching, mono printing and lino, forms part our rich, engaging and highly successful GCSE and A Level curriculum using the core skills I and my colleagues have acquired from the numerous visits to Curwen at Chilford Hall.
A new location has signalled a new era and exciting future for the Curwen Print Study Centre, and I was excited to visit the studios in Great Thurlow with my Yr.12 Fine Art students from Wymondham High Academy (where I have been Head of Art for the last 15 years). From driving into the spacious car park, the newly refurbished studios strike you and the facilities look fresh and professional yet maintaining the soul of the former site at Chilford Hall. Lorraine gave me a tour of the new space and her passion and enthusiasm for printmaking as an art from – along with her colleagues is infectious and resonates around the freshly renovated building.
Wymondham High Academy is proud to be associated with the Curwen Print Study Centre. The opportunity it provides young people who are new to printmaking or to those who have previous experience is immense and helps maintain the legacy of printmaking as an exciting and rewarding art form.
We will be back next year!
Neil Moulton
Head of Art, Wymondham High Academy