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Park House School

Year 10 Art GCSE Pupils Explore Wildlife Art at The Base Art Gallery

On Tuesday 15th July, our Year 10 Art GCSE students enjoyed a creative and inspiring visit to The Base Art Gallery. The visit formed an important part of their ‘Living World’ project and gave pupils the opportunity to explore art in a real-world setting, helping them to deepen their understanding of context, technique, and meaning in artistic work.

The day began with a guided tour of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Pupils explored the powerful connection between nature and photography, learning how professional photographers use composition, light, and subject matter to create impactful and thought-provoking images. They were encouraged to select pieces that stood out to them and respond to reflective questions, followed by producing observational sketches based on their chosen works.

Later in the day, pupils were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the resident artist studios, where they gained insight into a wide range of styles and techniques. From bold graphic art to detailed portraiture, abstract work, and expressive clay sculptures, the visit provided an opportunity to see how professional artists develop and refine their ideas and materials.

After a well-deserved lunch break, pupils participated in a hands-on artist-led workshop focusing on wildlife art and its wider context — particularly the human impact on animals and the natural world. This linked directly with their GCSE coursework, sparking new ideas and meaningful discussions. Pupils worked with a variety of materials including pencils, collage, charcoal and pastels, and created expressive pieces that reflected both skill and emotion.

This visit was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to immerse themselves in professional art environments, engage in critical thinking, and reflect on their own creative practices — all while building strong links to their ongoing coursework. A huge well done to all who took part!