More than 300 Colchester students have been enjoying extra art lessons by taking part in an Opt for Art project.

The scheme is being run by Firstsite at the Minories in Colchester and involves all of the year eight students at Philip Morant School.

The idea was thought up by Engage, the national association for gallery education, with the aim of bringing young people who are deciding their GCSE options directly in contact with art and artists.

Opt for Art also highlights career opportunities in the arts, and encourages more teenagers to take art as a GCSE option.

Throughout this week, the students have been taking part in print-making workshops with artist Dale Devereux Barker.

Earlier in the year, the students were set the task of going to see the artist's Excessive Pleasures exhibition at the gallery as homework.

They then had the chance to meet Mr Devereux-Barker when he talked to the whole year group about careers which used art and design.

During this week, the artist has been running workshops on printing with lino and the students have been creating a series of self-portraits which will be displayed as part of the Opt for Art exhibition at the Minories from May 30 to July 1.

The pictures will then be permanently displayed at the school.

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