Turtlemania hits Thurlestone Primary

13th July 2017

Fifty primary children made a giant turtle in Thurlestone, to draw attention to the problem of plastic bags floating in the sea. 

The centrepiece of Sea Sense, a themed exhibition celebrating the sea and the importance of the marine environment in all our lives by Kingsbridge based artists, The House Group,  will be a giant jellyfish in the centre of the front section of the gallery made from plastic bags stuffed with plastic bottles.  Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, which is their natural food.

Local artist Emma Carter helped the children make the turtle, as well as smaller jellyfish and turtles.

“We wanted to get the message across to children in a fun way, helping them to see that plastic bags are a real problem for marine life all over the planet, as well as here in the South Hams,” said artist Alison Theaker.

The House Group, were able  to take their art based environmental message into schools with the help of local estate agents, Marchand Petit, who sponsored the workshop for 50 primary children from Thurlestone, West Alvington and Charleton schools.

Prunella Martin, Director of Marchand Petit, said: “The sea is a vital resource for local people and visitors alike. We are committed to supporting our local community and this project really resonated with our core vision. Our staff loved taking part in helping children make art which responded to the environmental message.”

The giant turtle and children’s art work will be displayed as part of the exhibition in Harbour House, which will run from 1-6 August.

Photo:  Children make a giant turtle to highlight the problem with plastic bags in the ocean, with artists Emma Carter and Alison Theaker, and Jane Summers from Marchand Petit.