PUPILS at Star Lane Primary School are expressing their creative side at a Stratford arts centre.

Children from the school are among those attending the Rosetta Arts Centre’s Gifted and Talented Visual Art School – a ten-week programme on Saturdays.

Star Lane pupil Rhiem Anderson, eight, said: “I love the opportunity to use new materials, especially using the cameras.

“I love art, so this is great fun on a Saturday.”

Marione Kerbouche, eight, was just as excited about being able to develop her artistic skills.

“Using paints and drawing are my favourite things and when I grow I up I want to be an artist or an illustrator,” she said.

Steven Carbutt, course co-ordinator at Star Lane, said: “This scheme is a great opportunity for children who show talent in various areas of art and creativeness.

“This course is particularly great because children have the chance to build on their artistic talents outside of a school learning environment and also build relationships with other children from local schools, and mix with other members of the community.”

During the course at the Hamilton Road Art centre, children have the chance to practise their artistic skills as well as develop new ones in the areas of drawing, painting, photography, textiles, fashion, print-making, mosaics and ceramics.

The project, which began last month, will climax with an exhibition to celebrate the pupils’ work, which will also feature on the Rosetta Arts Centre website,

A second round of the scheme is open to applications from February 21.

For more information, go to www.RosettaArts.org.