This week the students, who are from various year groups, visited the workshop of artisanal stonemason Derek Tristram to see the progress of the sculpture they have helped to develop since 2016 and try their hand at carving their own piece using Caen limestone.
The sculpture aims to reflect the important social, economic, educational and cultural achievements made by the former Jersey College for Girls.
It has been commissioned by the Jersey Development Company as its contribution under the Percentage for Art scheme, which encourages developers to invest in public art.
The JDC is currently redeveloping the former JCG site into College Gardens, a 187-unit development over six blocks containing one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments.
The first units are almost ready for people to move into and the public sculpture is due to be installed in the summer.
JDC office manager Sally Le Cornu said that as part of the project the JCG students had taken part in workshops with Mr Tristram and learned about women’s changing roles in society in the 20th century and the school’s most notable alumni over the past 100 years.
‘During the students’ recent visit to Derek’s workshop the students had the opportunity to see the on-going progress of the public art sculpture as well as gaining invaluable experience and knowledge from the expert on carving their very own piece using Caen limestone,’ she said.
‘I understand from their teacher Richard Aydon that the students had been working on this during their art classes at school and hope to return to Derek’s studio to complete their piece, creating their very own motif, something that was connected to themselves and could be easily sculptured.
‘The public art sculpture will be installed during the summer at the College Gardens residential development, adjacent to the old Greek theatre celebrating 100 years of JCG history.
‘We hope it will create a lasting cultural legacy for future generations for both the College Gardens residents and for JCG students to enjoy, celebrating the school’s heritage,’ she added.
