Held between 5 and 9 October, the inaugural festival brought schools together to celebrate art, encourage creative expression and inspire a love of learning. The week culminated in an incredible gallery exhibition on Thursday 15 October, where a selection of outstanding artwork was brought together for a special celebration.

With the theme of ‘Life’, schools were given the freedom to interpret the theme in their own way, resulting in a diverse range of artwork reflecting children’s individual ideas, experiences and perspectives. Throughout the festival, pupils also explored the work of different artists, discovering new styles, techniques and approaches to help inspire their own creations.

Schools nominated exceptional pieces for the final gallery, providing children with the opportunity to have their work displayed and celebrated. Judges were invited to select winners and runners-up in age categories spanning preschool through to Year 6. They received a sketch pad and an arts voucher to encourage them to continue developing their creative talents.

Paul Chadwick, Trust Enrichment Lead said:

“This evening is a culmination of all of the hard work of the staff in schools, who planned the week and took creative control of the direction that the art week would go. A massive well done to all of the children, whether they qualified for the gallery or not, they all put so much hard work into their final pieces – a great achievement.”

Richard Evans, CEO of Cambrian Learning Trust, said:

“Our first ever Arts Festival has been a wonderful celebration of our children’s creativity, imagination and individuality. By exploring different artists and expressing their own ideas, pupils have been inspired to discover their talents and take pride in their achievements. It’s a fantastic example of our vision, Nurturing growth – Inspiring minds, and our values in action, and we are incredibly proud of everyone who took part.”

The festival reflects Cambrian Learning Trust’s commitment to providing enriching experiences that help children discover their interests, develop their talents and build confidence in their abilities.

With so much imagination and talent on display, the first Cambrian Arts Festival has provided a strong foundation for celebrating the arts across the Trust for years to come.