Art - a place to pause
As an Old Shirburnian myself, I’ve experienced life at Sherborne Boys from both a staff and pupil's perspectives. The sheer volume of opportunity available to our boys is nothing short of extraordinary: eye-watering and exciting in equal measure. More often than not, pupils embrace this abundance with enthusiasm; some are gently nudged by parents or tutors, but most throw themselves wholeheartedly into the many offerings on hand. Over the course of a typical week, let alone an academic year, this creates an unrelenting tempo, a day-to-day bustle that defines much of the Sherborne experience.
A recent meeting with a parent brought this reality into sharp focus. We were discussing her son’s art portfolio and the apparent lack of progress being made. As we talked, it became clear that he had very little time, amidst his myriad school commitments, to stop, reflect, and give his creative work the thought it deserved. The irony wasn’t lost on either of us: in order to fit the meeting into our own overloaded schedules, we had to convene before our working days began, with a 5:30am commute for her, no less! In the busyness of school life, and indeed life more generally, it’s easy to be swept along by endless tasks, notifications, and obligations. But without moments of intentional stillness, we risk losing sight of what truly matters. Taking time to slow down, to think without distraction, allows our minds to rest, process, and begin to see more clearly. It’s also in these quieter moments that creativity thrives, when the mind is freed from the noise, able to imagine, explore, and look beyond the immediate.
With that in mind, much of the Trinity Term has been spent converting the now-defunct mezzanine, the Art department’s former desktop computer suite into something altogether calmer: a space where pupils can pause, sit, read, and reflect. Somewhere to gather their thoughts and recharge, both literally and metaphorically.
Thanks to the generous gift of the Hugh Hildesley (b 60) Library this time last year, we’ve now created a permanent home for this fine collection and, in doing so, a space where both pupils and staff can enjoy the books as Hugh intended when he gave them to the School.
My hope is that this newly refurbished mezzanine will become a haven, free from digital distractions and filled instead with comfort, quiet, and the kind of stillness that fosters both clarity and creativity.
There’s a pleasing symmetry to this space being housed within the Art department. After all, I firmly believe that art itself offers a rare and valuable moment of pause, a chance to slow down and reconnect. Perhaps next time you’re passing, you might drop in, take a seat, and take five.
Where Next?
