Our mentor, JP Guerrier, writes about their projects with students at Haberdashers’ during 2024–25.

This year I continued working with my previous Year 7 group as they progressed to Year 8, while also forming a new group for incoming Year 7 students. Much of our work centred around clay—exploring both traditional ceramic techniques (pinch pots, coil building) and more experimental approaches such as pressing natural textures from the school garden and experimenting with form and glaze. Collaboration with Charter’s art technician, Susan Swartzberg, was invaluable; her expertise and support with kiln firings and materials made this work possible. For Year 7’s, clay sessions introduced the fundamentals of the medium—its behaviour, possibilities, and techniques. Year 8’s built upon prior knowledge, creating more ambitious pieces that incorporated colour and surface design through glazing.

First Workshops at Haberdashers’

In October 2024, I led “The Environment of Sound,” a two-day workshop at Haberdashers’ in Borough. Year 8 students explored active listening, field recording, and sound creation through sculptural forms. Using small motors and circuits, they built instruments and sound sculptures inspired by the ambient sounds around them.

The project encouraged them to think critically about how our world sounds—past, present, and future—and to translate auditory experience into physical form. The workshops were a resounding success; students were enthusiastic to perform and share their sound pieces, gaining a deeper appreciation for sound as both an art form and an expressive tool.

Environs Exhibition

In November, I exhibited student work at the Environs Exhibition hosted by forpeople in Oval. Pieces from both Charter and Haberdashers’ were showcased, including moving light sculptures made with coloured acetate, layered drawings, and laser-cut components. These illuminated works explored animation and motion, offering students insight into planning and digital fabrication processes in collaboration with Charter’s DT department.

Also featured were photograms from a workshop with Rugile Klzlovskyte, introducing students to darkroom techniques and experimental photography. Both groups visited the exhibition—an inspiring opportunity to see their work presented professionally, boosting confidence and ambition.

Butterfly project

In June, we again partnered with Camberwell Arts Festival, contributing to a large-scale Butterfly Walk installation. Students designed and decorated paper butterflies with collage, paint, and pastel, later displayed alongside works from other local schools. Seeing their art publicly exhibited in their own community proved deeply rewarding and affirming.