Cultural Arts Project

School project
Lonesome Primary School,
Mitcham, Surrey
Year 4 students
2009
Supported by MLA London

To get inspiration for their cultural arts day, which celebrated art and culture from around the world, Year 4 classes from Lonesome Primary School visited the British Museum.

Participants looked closely at objects in the Chinese, African and Indian galleries. Using these objects they reflected on the cultural diversity within their school and the Museum and recorded their discoveries with sketches, notes and photographs.

Back at school the students used this information to plan five craft activities based on African masks and textiles, Chinese calligraphy and pottery and Indian henna hand patterns.

The Cultural arts day was held in the school in July 2009. Other schools from the East Mitcham Primary Cluster were invited to join in the craft sessions and students from Harris Academy, a local secondary school, acted as roving reporters at the event for the local magazine My Merton.

Decorating vases
  • 1

    Participants made blue and white vases inspired by the Chinese porcelain on display at the British Museum.

  • 2

    These lavender bags were inspired by the Traveller community in Merton, who have a history of working in the lavender industry.

  • 2

    Masks were made taking inspiration from masks seen in the Africa Gallery at
    the Museum.

Related resources

Search the Chinese, African and Indian collections:

Explore for teachers

Young Explorers for students

Resources for teachers