Education, Outreach & Workshops

Vision Fountain’s projects involve community outreach.   We use oral testimony and various forms of audio-visual interpretation to give communities voice. School children and youth groups are introduced to 3D technology and virtual reality via arts and heritage workshops, often using gaming technology as a pathway.

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School children experience virtual reality mining experience.in the Afan Valley.
©Vision Fountain

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Workshops

We have held workshops at in South Wales and England with Museum of Wales, the British Motor Museum, The Factory Youth Centre (Birmingham), ACE Cardiff , at high schools and primary schools.

We share the creative techniques used in a projects’ creation with the communities with whom we work.

A project with Rhondda Heritage Park and The National Waterfront Museum (Swansea) delivered arts, heritage and digital workshops, where young people created 3D models and large collages displayed at Amgueddfa Cymru (National Museum) Swansea.

Educational Outreach Showreel

Testimonials

Kings of the Underground – Museum of Wales

“The theme of this exhibition “Kings of the Underground” aligns with what,  Amgueddfa Cymru’s National Waterfront Museum is about.  We celebrate the human story of Welsh industry for the last 300 years as well as innovation in today’s Wales. So having an exhibition that focuses on the workers in the coal industry that also uses new technologies and photogrammetry ticks all of our boxes.

Steph Mastoris, Head of National Waterfront Museum Swansea, Amgueddfa Cymru

The children heard first hand accounts which brought the project to life and used new technology which brought their understanding of their heritage and identity into the 21st Century. ”

Liz Bradley  Headteacher, Hafod Primary School

“The 3D modeling itself was extremely impressive and showed the pupils what is possible in modern technology.  The VR headset sessions were extremely memorable for pupils and teachers alike.”

Rob Appleby,  Headteacher of Upper Afan Valley Schools Federation

“My father (Keith Tomlin) constantly talked about his mining experience and was privileged to take part in this project.  As my father had passed after the project it was great to see his face, and hear his voice in the exhibition, knowing his comments will last forever.”

Jason Tomlin, son of deceased miner, Keith Tomlin

Dragon’s Dream – Animation & Imaginative Story-telling (Arts Council of Wales)

“The levels of excitement were very apparent, and for those pupils from deprived backgrounds with limited opportunities, the project enriched their life experiences and through the arts and digital literacy. This resulted in the children sustaining high levels of engagement and motivation throughout the project, always looking forward to the next session. The screening of their work at the local theatre was a unique and amazing experience for them.”

-Karen Jacobs, head-teacher, Penyrenglyn

“I enjoyed working with my friends to create such a wonderful movie. And when we went to the cinema, my mam, she was so proud. She said that she wished and she could do something like that.”  -Eva, student, Penyrenglyn

“My grandma and my dad came (to the cinema) and they said that I had a really good voice for the king!”  – Jensen, student, Penyrenglyn

“Motor Mouths” Family Photography & Animation Workshop (British Motor Museum)

“The ‘Motor Mouths’ project was a sheer delight to see unfold. The family workshop produced a delightful animation and poster which we were able to pass onto the participating visitors.”

Emma Rawlinson, Family & Lifelong Learning Officer, British Motor Museum

Merthyr’s Black Gold  (Cyfarthfa Castel Museum and Art Gallery /  NHLF)

“Merthyr’s Black Gold provided the Museum Service with opportunities to engage with participants onsite at Cyfarthfa Castle and an additional opportunity to take the museum collection and resources to schools and community venues. Introducing participants to this heritage at the museum in an engaging way helps to promote the museum as a safe learning space.”

– Benjamin Price, Education and Interpretation Officer, Cyfarthfa Museum & Art Gallery

“Merthyr’s Black Gold was a highly successful and engaging project that involved 189 young people. The project enabled people to develop key skills in areas such as oral histories, 3D scanning and working with digital assets. A number of outputs came from the project including a short film. This has left a lasting legacy of both the project and this important heritage”.

– Bethan Williams, Grants Officer, Heritage Lottery Fund (Wales)

“Our Mountain”  – Primary School Workshops (Arts Council Wales / Pen-y-Cymoedd Community Fund)

“This was an exciting proposal involving young people not only in skills development, but in helping them to really look at, consider, understand and value their local surroundings, communities and heritage. It brought together children in two valleys on either side of a mountain, hopefully making connections of all kinds that will endure”

Barbara Anglezarke, Executive Director, Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund

“The project enabled the young learners to imagine creatively. The level of oracy (in the film) was emotional. Some children who are normally reluctant to talk relayed powerful stories. We had pupils, who have low self esteem, being fully involved and happy to be part of the project.”

– Mrs Janine Mundy, Head Mistress, Rhigos Primary School

“Elliot’s 50th”  Community Workshops (Winding House Museum / Caerphilly Borough Council)

“I loved the film that you made for the Winding House Museum. It was honest and true. It was a pleasure to be involved. And great to meet old friends again in the workshops.”

Les Lewis, Ex-miner, 84, who took part in the workshops for 50th Anniversary of Elliot Mine

“Energy+Notion- in schools” – Primary School Workshops  (Cardiff University)

“Any work generated by the project had to fit in with the curriculum and Literacy and Numeracy Framework. We found this easy to achieve and used the ENERGY & NOTION project as a vehicle to fulfil many of the demands of the curriculum.”

Jill Thomas, Year 6, Pantyscallog Primary School, Merthyr