Exhibition by world renowned illustrator to conclude week celebrating childhood education

The University of Suffolk is celebrating the National Year of Reading and childhood education with a special week of activities and events.  

As one of the first universities to offer Childhood Studies as a degree (as University Campus Suffolk), Suffolk has always championed early years learning and exploring creativity.  

During the week of 12 July, the University will be welcoming primary school children on campus, for creative workshops with Chancellor Zeb Soanes, hosting the annual Childhood conference and officially opening a free public exhibition featuring the works of Ipswich-born acclaimed illustrator and author Helen Oxenbury. 

Helen’s exhibition, “Adventures in Childhood”, will feature 50 of her famous illustrations including from the hugely popular We’re Going on a Bear Hunt story. The exhibition will be free and open to the public until mid-September. 

The University’s celebration of children and creativity will kick off with a visit from over 400 schoolchildren from nine schools within the Leiston Education Partnership. Established by Kingfisher Schools Trust with financial backing from Sizewell C, the Leiston Education Partnership brings together schools and partners to raise aspirations and create greater opportunities for children and young people in the Leiston area. 

During the visit, the school children will join workshops hosted by the University of Suffolk’s Chancellor Zeb Soanes, who will be reading from his Gaspard the Fox books before encouraging the school children to create their own drawings guided by illustrator James Mayhew, which will then displayed in the Waterfront Building foyer. 

Commenting on the visit, Zeb Soanes said: “Sharing the Gaspard stories with children and unlocking their own storytelling is always an exciting and fun experience. By hosting these workshops at the University and displaying the children’s artwork in Waterfront Building, we will celebrate and showcase the creativity of children in our county, whilst strengthening connections with our different communities.” 

The schools will also join workshops with children’s author Dr Darragh Martin and novelist and Royal Library Fellow Francesca Armour-Chelu.  

On the 15 and 16 July, the University will be hosting its annual Children and Childhoods Conference which will explore the diverse nature of modern childhoods with a focus on children and young people’s experience of social justice, children’s rights, social regulation, political instability, and rapid technological change.  

The conference is open to anyone working in education, youth services, social work, research and safeguarding. Tickets are available to purchase for one or both days of the conference. 

The week will culminate with a visit from Helen Oxenbury who will officially open her exhibition on Friday 17 July. Throughout her career, Helen’s love for drawing and storytelling has been enjoyed by families around the world and she is still passionate about creating books especially for babies and young children. During her visit to the University, Helen will take time to view some of the artwork created by the school children earlier in the week. 

Helen Oxenbury said: “Sharing stories is such an important part of childhood, and it is wonderful to see it celebrated at the University of Suffolk. I’m excited to return to Ipswich, near to where I grew up, to share an exhibition of some of my work, and delighted that children will have the chance to take part in drawing workshops and see their own work on display.” 

Professor Jenny Higham, Vice-Chancellor, University of Suffolk said: “As one of the first Universities to offer childhood studies we are delighted to mark this celebration of childhood with a week of activities for children, professionals and the local community. Helen Oxenbury’s Adventures in Childhood exhibition will be open throughout the summer, and we look forward to welcoming people onto our campus to enjoy her incredible illustrations.” 

The week of events is being coordinated and delivered by the University of Suffolk’s Research and Knowledge Exchange team, the School of Business, Arts, Technology and Social Sciences and the Suffolk Centre for Culture and Heritage.  

For more information about these events, visit our events page here.