The Well

Our Art Department is located in what would have been a cellar of an 18th century palace.....Yes, it sounds amazing but it has its issues (absence of windows and natural light is one). Even though we do have struggle with lack of space, we enjoy the intimate character of our studios. We also enjoy a spectacularly stable temperature (just like a great cellar). We are never very cold or very hot. In a busy day, I sometimes am completely unaware of the weather outside.

One of the outstanding features of our department is the well....We have a well in the middle of the studio, with water and all. There are stories around the well. Someone told me that a gun was once found in it.
We struggled to find use to the well. I sometimes try to convince our younger students that if they don't behave they might end up in detention inside the well.

Meanwhile, we fill it with junk and turn it into a still-life composition. Its the perfect introduction for year 10 students (who start by hating us teachers, and then become very proud of their achievements)