The Poppies project came about due to the reading of an article discussing the growing phenomena of empty shops in British towns due to the recession.

Mr A. Smith, visiting art specialist at Masiondieu, considered the possibility of putting a display of children’s art work in one of the empty shop fronts. She approached Sarah Kettles, manager of the Brechin Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) asking if there was a suitable shop. A few meetings and phone calls later, it was agreed that Poppies, a former florists on the corner of the High street would be ideal for the project.

Over a number of sessions this term, Mr Smith and Ms F. Hyslop (Andover's visiting art teacher) worked with the children of P4 to P7 classes to produce pieces of art work around the theme of flowers.  The children experimented and gained knowledge of working in a variety of media - drawing, colouring, oil pastel work, paper collage, screen printing, press printing, felting, wire and tissue sculpture.

The work was then taken to the shop where Alex spent time putting up coloured fabric and paper on screens inside the shop windows in readiness for displaying the work.  The children’s work was grouped in relation to colour, theme and technique, then displayed across five windows in the shop.  Two children from each school helped to put up the displays. The press from 3 local papers visited to take pictures of the children at work.

 
It is anticipated that the display will be in the shop for the summer term.