Rivers of the World unite along the Foyle through art project

The exhibition of local schools work from Londonderry and Donegal and their partner schools in London will be unveiled today, Wednesday, and remain on display for almost a month.

The work first shown in London was viewed by more than a million people as part of the Mayor of London’s Thames Festival.

Rivers of the World is a Mayor’s Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Trust and local partners, Ilex, the urban regeneration company. Each year the project links young people from around the world to develop art work based on shared river themes.

Students from Crana College, Foyle and Londonderry College, Oakgrove Integrated College, Royal and Prior Comprehensive, St Columb’s College, and St Joseph’s Boy’s School were linked with London secondary schools are involved in the project and are partnered with schools in places like London and there are worldwide links with schools in Argentina, Korea, Thailand, Turkey and USA.

They have spent the last year studying the history, culture and environment of their local river or a river in their partner country and, with the help of professional artists, have produced huge art works inspired by what they have learnt.

Artist Sinead Smyth said “Working with the young people of Foyle and Londonderry College was a delight. The river connects us all, our journeys are individual, but sharing our experiences and stories, puts us in that boat together and demonstrates that together we are part of something bigger. As an artist, I found the project allowed me the opportunity to enter a creative process with these young people, linking craft and design with history and geography on a personal, local and global level.”

Aideen McGinley, Ilex Chief Executive said: “Ilex is delighted to be working in partnership with the British Council, Thames Festival, WELB, HSE and the Loughs Agency on the Rivers of the World project. This is a very new and exciting opportunity for students in Londonderry and Donegal to explore the River Foyle whilst building new relationships with their partner schools in London. Working with artists and the Loughs Agency has proved invaluable for students and teachers alike, and students have been able to showcase their talent by displaying their artwork outside the Tate Modern and now in the city. This can only encourage others to explore and appreciate the creative potential of our people and this place. Supporting a culture of creativity, collaboration and innovation up to and beyond 2013”.

Susan Thomas, art and design teacher at Foyle and Londonderry College, said: “It has been most fruitful to work as a team here in the North West brought together by the Rivers of the World Project. We have all been involved in such a promising and uplifting creative experience which can only help boost our subject, pupil group and school. I hope that we can enthuse others so that 2013 can be our time to propel our city forward to a better future for all to live in.”

Three new countries join Rivers of the World each year and by 2012 more than 17 countries will have taken part in the project.