Readers may remember that back in November 2014, Somervale Art students produced six images named 'Icons of Peace and Equality', which culminated in them being on display in a public exhibition in Frome. Since then, the project has gone international!

Art Teacher and Curator, Sacha Guppy, from Somervale, has teamed up with the artist, Mark Karasick, to involve schools both in the UK and overseas to produce Portraits of Icons of Peace and Equality. To date, there have been some very interesting pieces produced using the grid method that have been uploaded to the following blog: https://artclassroomproject.wordpress.com">https://artclassroomproject.wordpress.com

With so much unrest in the world, these students from many cultural backgrounds have embraced the idea of making portraits that represent the ethical and the good, portraits of unwavering tolerance reminding all who see the works that people with a unified vision can indeed still make a difference to how we view our world.

Sacha Guppy explains: "On an academic level, it is important to demonstrate to students that art does not exist in isolation, but draws from all disciplines and subject matter throughout their curriculum. Teaching has been given using Skype to reach Afghanistan, Zambia, Australia and the USA."

Completed projects from around the world so far

include: Nasrat II, in Afghanistan, producing two images, the first being a portrait of the Dove of Peace, The Highland Creative Academy, in Zambia, has produced an image of Nelson Mandela, the International School, in Perth, has created a portrait of the Aboriginal woman, Professor Lowitja (Lois) O'Donoghue.

The French American International School, in San Francisco, created a portrait of Harvey Milk, to commemorate a key shift in gay rights and equality.

Back in the UK, the Open Story Tellers, a charity based in Frome who work with adults with learning and communication difficulties to dispel the negative stigma surrounding disability, have produced a portrait of Lady Diana.

"Somervale continues to involve and welcome more art teachers and schools, both here in the UK and globally to collaborate and produce more images of Icons that they feel pertinent or unique to their specific geography and culture," says Sacha. "The eventual goal is to exhibit all the works online, culminating in a series of exhibitions and possible conferences of the Icons at various venues around the world.

"By having groups of students work together to produce each individual portrait, they have symbolically, albeit in a small way, been participating in something positive and progressive with their counterparts all around the world."

Jilly Hillier, professional adviser for UNICEF UK Rights Respecting Schools Award South West, who has supported the work carried out internationally by the

students, said: "It is great when global learning breaks out from Geography, History and Citizenship, as it has the potential to enrich learning on a much bigger scale."