On Wednesday 22nd October, poet, Sue Wallace-Shaddad and artist Sula Rubens ran ‘Sleeping under Clouds’ Workshops at Moorland Primary School, Ipswich – as part of Platforma festival (October 2025).
The workshops were for two classes of 30 children. Each class worked with the artist or the poet and then swapped. The school has children from a variety of backgrounds including Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Bulgaria.
The theme, relating to the poems and paintings, was ‘Journeys’.
Poetry session
Sue Wallace-Shaddad first of all discussed some paintings by Sula Rubens (which she has written poems about), asking the children what they could see or imagine. Sue and a volunteer read one of Sue’s poems before discussing making friends on a journey. The children then wrote about a journey. Some writing took in memories of other countries. Everyone listened to a song about a journey across the sea. After the break the class looked at another poem in the same way focusing on what a child sleeping might dream about or what item they might wish to take with them on a journey. After each writing exercise, work was shared.
Art session
Sula Rubens brought into the classroom five framed paintings that related to those written about by Sue Wallace-Shaddad. The children were invited to go up close to look at them. Their questions and comments led to a fascinating conversation with Sula about: the subject of the pictures; what materials they were made of; memories/experiences they brought to mind; how making a picture can help you remember something/ someone/somewhere rather than relying on a photograph.
The children had been asked in advance to bring with them a drawing they had made of an object/person/pet that they could take on a journey, either as a memento of someone/ somewhere or as something that would be useful.
Sula spoke with the children about all kinds of journeys they might go on. What would they need? Different items for a quick trip to the corner shop/ to school/ holiday/. Leaving with time to plan or in a hurry? What difference could that make?
The children then began work on their own picture showing their journey/item. They used materials from the school as well as various collage items brought in by Sula. She moved through the class guiding and encouraging individuals on each of their journeys as they worked.
The children worked eagerly. They made some marvellous and insightful work. The teachers were appreciative, enthusiastic and supportive. They plan to follow up, building on several themes that arose during the workshops. It was a very stimulating, enjoyable and rewarding morning for all concerned.
