Northumberland children showcase stunning wildlife art at Alnmouth Arts Festival

Each child in Hipsburn Primary School created their own unique 3D piece for a Local Coastal Bird Exhibition with the help of local artist Helen Ellis.

The exhibition, displayed at this year’s festival across June 20 – June 21, was an incredible success and received a phenomenal response – not only from families and friends, but from visitors, professional artists, the National Trust and bird experts.

This project was brought to life through Helen's vision who gave her time, energy and expertise to work with each child, helping to create a stunning collection of coastal birds using natural and recycled materials.

Inspired by the beauty of our local shoreline, the project highlights the importance of caring for our beaches, wildlife and natural environment.

The children created an extraordinary range of birds, from delicate little terns to a magnificent life-sized cormorant.

Each year group brought a different species to life, including puffins, eider ducks, oystercatchers, curlews, kittiwakes and herons.

The school were also delighted to welcome representatives from Space for Shorebirds Northumberland and the Stronger Shores Engagement Officer, whose inspiring talks and workshops helped inform and enrich the project further.

Alongside the 3D artwork, the children worked incredibly hard recording songs, which were played throughout the exhibition, creating a truly immersive experience for visitors.

A spokesperson for Hispburn Primary School said: "An enormous well done to every child for their creativity, enthusiasm and hard work. Our sincere thanks go to the Arts Festival Committee for supporting this project.

“Our children are creative and talented in so many different ways and the opportunity to be part of the Arts Festival has been fantastic, giving them a platform to showcase their talents to the wider community.

“Most importantly, our heartfelt thanks go to Helen, whose passion, kindness and dedication made this unforgettable experience possible for our children.”

The children also beautifully designed and created cards featuring their artwork and the coastal theme which are still available to purchase through the school.