LOCAL schoolchildren are seeing all aspects of sculpture close up through their involvement with an exhibition of sculptures at Kingham Lodge, near Kingham.

Nine schools including Holy Trinity at Chipping Norton, Chipping Norton School, Bledington Primary, Kitebrook House School, Kingham Primary and Chadlington Primary are contributing works of art as part of Oxfordshire Artweeks for the Sculpture at Kingham Lodge show. Their work ranges from wire wild flowers for the Queen's 90th birthday, to Mayan masks, foam butterflies and mini beasties.

It is anticipated that thousands of students will attend the event that runs from May 21 to 30.

Chris Stockwell, curator of Sculpture at Kingham Lodge said: "We are thrilled to have nine schools taking part from Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire and I’m really looking forward to seeing what imaginative sculptures they produce. "During the last show I remember watching pupils' eyes light up as they spotted a sculpture and stopped in their tracks. It makes all the hard work worthwhile when you see the joy the sculptures give to the students."

Wendy Smart, assistant head teacher atHoly Trinity Primary School in Chipping Norton, said: "To be actively involved in creating our sculptures for The Sculpture at Kingham Lodge show was a wonderful experience for the children."

Mr Stockwell added: "The sculpture show creates an opportunity for students to admire their art within the context of a professional show they otherwise wouldn’t experience. Parents come to admire their children’s sculptures and it is not uncommon to see children dragging their parents around exhibits and explaining works of art which they have learnt about. It is a real community event for everyone to visit and enjoy within the beautiful gardens.

In addition to the schools' art, there will be over 130 sculptures from UK artists joined by 160 Zimbabwe stone pieces. Sculptures are available for purchase and prices range from £10 to £10,000.

The event raises money for charity and has also donated £3,000 to local schools for art projects. as well as supporting Helen and Douglas House, the Oxford hospice for children and young people, The Koestler Trust which promotes art in prisons, Chitungwiza Sculptors Cooperative whose sculptures we sell – money raised has gone towards a borehole and water system, helping leprosy patients and the disabled in India. In 2012 and 2014, £40,000 was raised for charity.