A new artwork exhibition celebrates creativity and innovative practices from student across fourteen different schools in Tower Hamlets.  

The Encounter exhibition, held at the Art Pavillion in Mile End, presents an array of art pieces produced by students, exploring themes and concepts, such as identity, protests and narratives. 

From February 27 to March 8, students will showcase work produced over the last year using a range of techniques, mediums and styles of expression such as oil paintings, design technology, textiles and pottery. 

The exhibition is free for all, and encourages viewers to engage on a personal level by challenging audience perceptions, evoking emotions and prompting meaningful interactions.  

Samira Khanom, a Year 9 student at Langdon Park School, told Eastlondonlines: “If you feel that art is something that you really want to do and you’re passionate about it, then you should go for it. No one is going to stop you. 

“Art is still important because it’s a way to express your feelings through things you make and draw and I think that it’s really important. 

“People don’t find out if they like art until they actually try it, so I think it’s good if people did have it as a core lesson in school.” 

Eve Griffiths, a Year 8 student attending Canary Wharf College, told Eastlondonlines: “We had to draw ourselves in black and white and then stitch something onto it that represents our personality and our identity. It took a few hours to do. We spent a long time drawing ourselves and deciding what to show that identifies our personality. 

“I think [more] students should pursue art because it’s a very good way to escape all the stresses of secondary school, the exams and it’s just a great way to express ourselves and be more creative.” 

As part of the exhibition, there will be a series of workshops to encourage and develop creative thinking and arts practice for current students. These are open to all students in Tower Hamlets schools. 

The fourteen schools presenting their students’ artwork, is Langdon Park School, Stepney All Saints School, St Paul’s Way School, Central Foundation Girls’ School, Bishop Challoner Catholic School, Bow School, London East Alternative Provision, Mulberry School for Girls, Morpeth School, Canary Wharf College, Mulberry Academy Shoreditch, Mulberry Stepney Green – Maths, Computing and Science College, George Green’s School and Stepney Park Primary School