All Saints PS Sugar High

Today saw the last sugar-coated art class (for now...) at All Saints Primary School in Greenock, under the direction of Absent Voices artists, Rod Miller and Anne McKay.

The children have been learning all about the once-mighty sugar industry in their home town. Last week, they even made a class visit to the sugar sheds at James Watt Dock to see exactly what they were studying.

Today, having made their sugar loaves (seen here in the background), the pupils had fun making origami sugar cubes.

They were also joined by Absent Voices musician, Kevin McDermott, known to many through his work with his band, The Kevin McDermott Orchestra.

Rod reports that Kevin (in yellow) did 'a wee turn', much to the delight of the kids.

After the impromptu gig, the children were awarded a piece of the school's jigsaw puzzle as a reward for their efforts over the last few weeks.

According to the teachers, this is part of a mural made for another project and when a group or a class does good work, they get to 'bed in' another piece.

Rod reports that he, Kevin and Annie decided to make all the pupils, as well as their teacher, Mhairi Crossan, honorary Absent Voices' artists-in-residence. They were even awarded certificates!

The children now want to do art every Monday... Ms Crossan likes it too. She even came on a drawing/walking tour of the sheds facilitated by Rod and Annie.

PS Rod PM's to say he forgot to add that the piece of the jigsaw puzzle has the sugar sheds on it. If you look closely, you can see them at the bottom of the stained glass square in this photo!!

PPS There's another drawing/walking tour at the Sugar Sheds on Dec 14, from 11am-2pm. For more info, go to the Absent Voices Facebook page