The Rosetta Art Centre and John Sisk & Son have launched ‘Imaginings of Canning Town’, a programme bringing together pupils from four local schools to build their own imaginary Canning Town.

Children aged between 8 and 14 from St Luke’s Primary, Star Primary, Rokeby School and Grange Primary will spend six weeks working on their individual models. They will draw up designs, build the models out of air drying clay and decorate them with different materials.

The models will be brought together to create an installation piece unveiled at an exhibition at Rokeby School on Wednesday 30^th November. The event will include the awarding of certificates and gifts to celebrate the pupils’ achievements.

Sanaz Amidi, Head of the Rosetta Art Centre, commented on the project:

“We have designed this project to bring Newham children together and encourage them to share and exchange ideas about their local environment in a fun and creative way. It’s an opportunity for the children to build their personal, social, creative and cultural skills as they generate ideas based on what they have learnt about their surroundings.”

John Sisk & Son is sponsoring the programme and has invited a group of older children from Rokeby School to visit the Rathbone Market site to learn about the development and the construction industry.

Chris Harrison, Senior Contracts Manager at John Sisk & Son, said: “Local children will get the opportunity to see a live construction site and learn more about what is involved in the building of Rathbone Market. The Rosetta Art Centre project is a great way for the children to be involved in the wider regeneration of their area. Hopefully the visit will help inspire their model towns.”