Town centre unlocks artistic flair among St Andrew’s Primary pupils

Children at a Dumfries primary school have been showcasing their artistic flair - using the town centre as their inspiration.

Primary one pupils at St Andrew’s  have drawn versions of buildings which stand in Midsteeple Quarter as part of a class topic on their home town.

It’s an exercise which has brought together lessons on their local area, on shapes and on art and the materials they can use.

The children were shown photographs of the buildings in Midsteeple Quarter before chatting about them and how they could be drawn.

Philip Parkhouse, an arts specialist with Dumfries and Galloway Council, worked with class teacher Annette Barnett on the project.

He said: “The children have shown real imagination and flair to create some fantastic drawings.

“It’s great that the topic as whole allows them to learn so much, including creating the chance to talk about the town around them.”

Ambitious plans are taking shape to transform a number of buildings in Midsteeple Quarter - now in the ownership of the community through the community benefit society of the same name - to breathe new life into the High Street.

Midsteeple Quarter Executive Director Scott Mackay said: “For being aged just five, the children have produced some impressive pieces of work.

“We want the whole community to feel pride in their town and the work we’re doing on behalf of the people in Dumfries. Getting the children involved from such a young age is a real help in our work to do that and build a better future for the whole community.”