The schools and community groups in Wendover will be invited to choose a theme or object in our collection which resonates with them.  They could be investigating some of the demonstration sports which made their way onto the programme over the years including snooker, Dartchery and Goalball.  Learning about inclusion in sport and the impact that technology has had on adapting sport for wider participation could then be explored alongside a Paralympian and a disabled artist.

Find out about our other community workshops here

Wendover Church of England Junior School

  

Thursday 7th July 2022

Year 4 students were given the opportunity to work with Kristina Veasey, a disabled artist working in natural materials.  Kristina, who competed in wheelchair basketball at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, designed a colourful and dexterously challenging workshop for the students which enabled her to draw out some of the parallels in her own lived experiences and those of many disabled people.  Using raffia in vibrant colours, which made a reference to the spectacle of the community of athletes coming together in the opening and closing ceremonies, Kristina taught the children the technique of weaving which she introduced as a symbol of the woven pathways that bring all athletes together.  The project ties in with Kristina’s current practice and her fascinating project “Basketcase” in which she uses the symbolism of coiled basket as an expression of the different and often difficult pathways that we all experience as we navigate our lives.  The themes of resilience, and visible as well as invisible disabilities, were referenced to make a comment on how people are forced to find different ways to weave through barriers in their lives; themes which feature centrally in the history of the Paralympic Movement. 

The final piece, which is on display at the school, is a celebratory collective artwork of individual woven basket bases made by each of the students, joined together by Kristina to make a textured relief map which serves as a comment on the undulating pathways a disabling society often forces people to navigate.

November 2021

To launch this project year 5 students met Paralympian David Smith OBE in a virtual assembly and heard how he successfully defended his Paralympic Boccia title in Tokyo 2020.  After lots of questions about the game of Boccia, students participated in a morning of competition assisted by staff from the NPHT and year 6 Sports Leaders. Photos to follow.

Wendover Art Club

  

  

Saturday 2nd April 2022

Wendover Art Club and guests were enthralled by an interactive and dynamic workshop led by artist Jessica Hamp who encouraged the group to explore experimental mark making techniques using home made tools from recycled found objects.  Photographs and objects from the Paralympic Heritage archive and handling collection were the source of their inspiration.  With a focus on movement this workshop celebrated the impact that physical activity continues to have on the lives of so many disabled athletes.  Personal expression was encouraged through a reaction to the tools and materials used at the workshop and this allowed participants the freedom to interpret the gestural fluid movement evident in the NPHT logo, designed by Rachel Gadsden.  This workshop culminated in the creation of collaborative banners celebrating the physicality, speed and agile expression of para-sport.

Wendover Community

 

Thursday 14th April 2022

David Smith OBE shared his compelling story of how he has defended his title as Paralympic Boccia Champion. He went on to demonstrate the precision and tactical agility required on court and explained the format of the game, the associated moves, as well as the intricacies of his sports wheelchair, before encouraging members of the captivated audience to try their hand at learning the basics of the game.