We were thrilled and excited to welcome internationally renowned local artist PJ Crook to The Prep on Friday to open the new gallery; ‘Our Gallery @ The Prep’.

PJ had a Q & A session with our Art Advance group and then presented to Middle School and Upper School, a talk about her work and what inspires her to create these imaginative and oft-times surreal paintings. The children were genuinely inspired, some waiting behind to ask questions.

PJ very kindly gifted a children’s art book and happily left this note in it:

The first exhibition is inspired by the PJ Crook painting: ‘Open Door’. The exhibition shows work from Year 5 Prep pupils and also those of St John’s, Gloucester Road and Naunton Park Primary Schools.

The children were asked to identify what was going on in the picture by interpreting the visual clues. They then created their own picture as if looking through a keyhole. Their picture could be of any land, habitat or about themselves or someone they knew. The postcard size images are a delight.

It is certainly an exciting time in the Art Department and we are looking forward to inviting you to regular exhibitions and displays in the future; there may even be an opportunity for families to get involved.

We want to celebrate all creativity, not just Art, but also those subject where images are produced and projects achieved; they now have somewhere to be displayed for longer.