A splash of colour, creativity, and clay lit up the Belgravia Art Centre as the East London Primary Schools’ Art Eisteddfod returned in full radiance.
The event exhibited the city’s youngest artistic talents and their limitless imaginations.
Hosted annually by Belgravia Art Centre, this year there were 980 entries from 24 schools.
Under the combined effort of the preparatory art teacher at Merrifield Preparatory School, Rebecca Wheatley, and Yolanda Birch from Stirling Primary, the event continues to grow.
“This exhibition is something we look forward to every year,” Wheatley, who also manages the Belgravia Art Centre, said.
“It brings teachers together from every corner of our city. Teachers need this sort of support and motivation. I hope that sharing our work inspires them and gives them courage to raise the bar in education.”
The centre specialises in art education and, working closely with East London high schools to offer art as a subject, plays a vital role in nurturing young creatives.
Principal Terry Schultz and the Belgravia team don’t only provide the physical space for the Eisteddfod, but also assist in organising and overseeing the judging process each year.
Among the many schools participating this year was Clarendon Primary School, whose group ceramic installation, titled Mistake Mermaid Island, received a prestigious double gold award.
Crafted by girls aged nine to 13 as part of an extramural art workshop led by Clarendon’s head of visual arts, Julie Birch, the piece attracted the attention of judges and viewers.
“I try to choose themes that excite the girls and ignite their imagination,” Birch said. “Which little girl doesn’t love mermaids!”
The creative process behind the winning work was just as magical as the final product.
Each mermaid was hand-sculpted in clay, textured with scales and shells, and dressed in whimsical undersea attire.
The island came to life through paper mâché waves and multilayered cardboard structures, painted and decorated to create a fantastical maritime scene.
“The girls were excited about every part of this project,” Birch said. “Receiving a double gold is always a joy, it validates all the hard work, effort, and heart that went into it.”
Birch believes that art education plays a crucial role in a child’s development.
“Nothing beats that sense of accomplishment when children see their finished artwork on display,” she said. “Art builds self-esteem and encourages creative courage. Children often surprise themselves with what they’re capable of.”
Clarendon’s visual arts programme includes weekly recognition through their “artist of the week” acknowledgment and culminates in a dedicated art exhibition during their cultural concert in September.
While standout entries like Clarendon’s mermaid island drew attention, the Eisteddfod is ultimately a collective celebration of creativity from across East London.
From dreamlike landscapes to imaginative clay sculptures, the exhibition features a wide range of works by pupils from dozens of schools.
For Wheatley, art is a cross-curricular tool for learning and connection. “Art allows pupils to make their learning more meaningful and visual. In my classroom, I link art to other subjects. It deepens under-standing in a powerful, memorable way.”
Her teaching incorporates global art exploration through platforms like Google Arts & Culture, encouraging curiosity and cultural awareness.
“They respond with joy when learning about a beautiful painting or the story of the artist who created it,” she said.
Since its inception in the 1980s, the East London Primary Schools’ Art Eisteddfod, which is currently co-led by Wheatley and Birch, has inspired teachers and pupils alike. As it expands, so does its influence on the creative and educational scene in East London.
