CIVIL WAR - ENGLAND TURNED UPSIDE DOWN : Linda Arkley, Ian Etheridge & Elaine Tribley

The wooden chest and contents have been carefully considered to evoke thoughts on how religion, money, power and politics played a major role during the English Civil War. Relating to KS3 history, in particular Unit 8, which questions how England was turned upside down in the 17th Century, all the objects are sourced or made by the artists to be handled and explored by pupils.  The resource notes have been presented in the form of a pamphlet reminiscent of the propaganda witnessed during the Civil War, the typeface used (caslon) has also been chosen as the closest match to printing fonts used in the 17th Century. 

          photography © Richard Stockmarr

FIRST WORLD WAR - THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE REGIMENT: Natasha Carsberg, Jacqui Davies, Alison Stockmarr and Ron Suffield

The suitcase is a conceptual reminiscence, to aide teachers, at key stage 3 level, in interpreting the First World War. It contains original artworks, artefacts and reproduction items. The suitcase is designed to promote discussion and provoke narrative. Rather than give an overview of the war, the suitcase is devised to provide a more human aspect.

    photography © Richard Stockmarr

THE ArChest : Ian Etheridge The ArChest looks like a toy box of discovery. It is inspired by my residencies at St Michael’s and Old Heath Primary Schools. The design of the pine chest incorporates inlaid copper alloy, a remnant of roofing material from firstsite:newsite. The design is from paper chain people, the basis for a large outdoor sculpture at Old Heath Primary School. The outcomes were also inspired by the fact that Colchester is a garrison town, this affected the residency at the time and the way in which we looked at citizenship. The materials used should help to promote thinking about families and friends in the playground, our country, Colchester – an army town, healthy eating, supporting each other and taking part in your community. photography © firstsite & Doug Atfield
	THE CURIOSITY BOX : Linda Arkley This large black suitcase houses a light box and takes on the form of a 19th Century explorer’s travelling trunk of scientific curiosities. The artwork reflects the environmental themes of the ArC residencies: re-use before you recycle. Rather than using a conventional light box, low energy lights are used to make it greener and better for the environment. The artwork’s purpose is to evoke thought and to trigger the imaginations of the pupils, which in turn will lead to creative experiments with light and plastics. photography © firstsite & Doug Atfield
GolDEN : Jacqueline Davies The“golDEN’ suitcase is made from remnants of copper alloy roofing material from firstsite:newsite. The surface patterns on the suitcase and den are hearts, houses and stars. The heart represent caring for others, houses symbolise our community and the stars achievement and aims. Contained in this case is the equipment to create fun role-play and a ‘special place’ to take time out, to engage, focus and reflect. Use this den as a focal point at circle time to encourage the children to make new relationships within their own class. If possible this can be outdoors or in a significant location for the children. photography © firstsite & Doug Atfield
	THE PUPPET SUITCASE : Alison Stockmarr This suitcase is first and foremost an artwork. It has been designed in a reasonably robust manner, however, as the ‘Fragile’ label on the outside suggests, itshould be treated with care. The ‘Magic Suitcase’ is the introductory story that sets the scene for ‘Makedoandmendland’, a land where recycling is woven into the fabric of their daily lives. The puppet profiles suggest a starting point for a series of related stories. Children are encouraged to write their own stories and then to use the puppets to enact them. photography © firstsite & Doug Atfield
THE BOX GARDEN : Natasha Carsberg How can you use your school grounds? The aim of the learning resource is to demonstrate how, by exploring your school grounds, you can be inspired to produce group sculptures, films, animations and exhibitions for the benefit of the school community. photography © firstsite & Doug Atfield
	THE SUITCASE THAT TIME FORGOT : Ron Suffield This suitcase is a time capsule. It was found in the loft of a recently purchased house. It contains items of historical and personal importance to its previous owners.  photography © firstsite & Doug Atfield
THE MAGICAL BOX OF CURATION : Elaine Tribley This suitcase contains all the props needed for an art exhibition inspired by my residencies within Bishop William Ward and Heathlands Primary Schools where both schools came together to curate an exhibition. Using the natural world as a material and canvas pupils can explore their immediate and surrounding environments whilst experiencing the teamwork and decision making needed to co-ordinate and curate an art show. photography © firstsite & Doug Atfield