Art at Westminster is about creating powerful and evocative works that resonate with people. Pupils are encouraged to explore what is meaningful to them and work with a spectrum of art forms to achieve their goals. Though many of its inhabitants study Art, the department’s ever-evolving environment presents a space in which pupils can reflect and experiment with ideas beyond what is required for exams.
Westminster’s art provision is supported by a highly and diversely accomplished team of teachers, several of whom are practising artists. They are committed to developing pupils’ practical ability and technique across a wide range of media from painting and drawing to textile work, ceramics, installations and digital design — while also expanding their understanding of art theory and history. Through frequent exhibitions, clubs, workshops and open‑studio sessions, pupils are encouraged to explore their creativity well beyond the classroom.
The Art Department’s studios are open until late each weekday evening and are always busy with art pupils extending their work independently. Pupils from different year groups and class groups work alongside in creative collaboration. The Art Department’s own exhibition space, Sutcliff’s Gallery, provides a setting in which the school community comes together to observe, analyse and enjoy art with friends, family and peers.
Location and Facilities
Our central London location allows for regular group and independent outings to the West End’s contemporary galleries, to Tate Britain, Tate Modern and the National Gallery. A Level pupils take part in an expedition in Year 12 that combines gallery visits and practical making in a new city. In the past pupils have been to Nice and attended the Berlin and Venice Biennales.
There is an organised programme of visits within the Upper School Options programme and every Exeat and holiday a bespoke gallery guide invites pupils to explore the best of the dozens of local contemporary galleries.
The Art Department houses a brilliant array of studios, many with specialist equipment, including a printmaking studio with Albion presses and a suite for etching. In addition to a digital photography space there is a large darkroom with facilities for black-and-white processing, a dedicated IT suite, film-making facilities and a well-stocked library, all set alongside architecturally fascinating and stimulating work areas. Pupils can be found working here late into the evenings, as the Art School operates extended opening hours to offer the greatest degree of creative flexibility.
Art for Everyone
A number of our Art pupils continue to an art school, or pursue a related field such as Architecture, and go on to achieve national and even international acclaim. In the context of the whole School, however, we celebrate the diversity, imagination and innovation of all our pupils, with regular changing displays in most public areas in addition to the department gallery and studios.
Each year a major Summer Show is hosted to particularly honour the achievements of the GCSE and A Level pupils and the exhibition is accompanied by the publication of the School’s own creative magazine. In addition to end-of-year shows for artists, the Artistshows programme gives Year 13 Pupils a platform to curate and display aspects of their A Level work in Sutcliff’s Gallery, and throughout the year pupils of all ages showcase their art in the department’s studios and other spaces across the School. The openings of these exhibitions are popular events attended by pupils, parents and staff members alike who are made to feel like they are attending an event at one of the capital’s more well-known galleries.
Our Lent Term Studio Dialogues programme brings emerging contemporary artists into the Art Department to exhibit and discuss their work through talks and practical workshops, whilst the department has previously welcomed Turner Prize winners and Royal Academicians to talk to pupils and parents. Pupils are able to initiate their own art-related societies too, with Photography Society particularly popular, and a weekly Architecture discussion group.
