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Community News

No Added Sugar marks multi-dimensional art milestone

An arts in education business from Swindon smock over their suit to take time-out
will be celebrating its one thousandth project in to paint with children. We also deliver
June, at Oaktree Nursery and Primary School in popular Creative Inset days for teachers
Park South, returning to the same school where who are often surprised by their hidden
their very first foray into schools took place. talents.
Artists Toni and Gordon Dickinson have been Toni said: “We’re very flexible in the
delivering projects with schools, youth groups way we work with schools, they’re all
and communities nationwide since they started dealing with different issues. The root
No Added Sugar, a creative participatory arts of what we do is to ensure every child
company, in 2001. has a fulfilling experience, something
Their work is quite recognisable around they’ll talk about for a long time.”
Swindon and can be seen in many schools. There Sixteen years on Gordon and Toni
is a colourful display of butterflies painted by the are often reminded of the impact of
community in Central Library and a large public their work with challenging young
sculpture in Cavendish Square. adults who approach them with their
Their work has changed over the years with memories. “A couple of years ago we
youth work declining due to the closure of met a young guy at a festival who said
youth centres; but their school and community we had changed his life,” said Gordon.
work keeps them busy. Toni said: “Schools “It’s really touching when the
commission us to pack a variety of arts activity youngsters tell us about their
into our projects which last from one to three backgrounds and their thoughts that
weeks, ending with the work displayed in the they wouldn’t make anything of
building for all to enjoy. We work with teachers their lives, but they had discovered a
beforehand so they can include maths, writing, different way of expressing themselves.
science and speaking and listening around the Some have come through really
project. troubled times but have been able
“Our work ticks lots of boxes and our aim is to use the visual language and the
that everybody gets involved - teachers, office freedom of our approach outside the
and kitchen staff, governors and of course everyday curriculum.” Gordon and Toni Dickinson of No Added Sugar
parents. There’s such a great atmosphere to see Gordon and Toni are looking forward
a hall full of children and adults talking about to returning to Oaktree, where they have worked relationships with staff. “It’s really great we can
and concentrating on painting. We often find on several occasions since they started. As with celebrate our milestone with Oaktree Nursery
executive heads and headteachers slipping on a many schools, they have built close working and Primary School again,” said Toni.

Find out more about us:
Visit our website www.nythe.swindon.sch.uk
Nythe Primary School,
Nyland Road, Nythe, Swindon SN3 3RD
Call us on 01793 524024
Email [email protected]

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