Stevenage Museum is celebrating the traditional Polish art of papercuts in a new exhibition which runs until March 3.
The exhibition looks at the intricate designs traditionally made for religious festivals and family celebrations and it revives memories of Stevenage’s Polish community.
Part of the display is about Shephall Manor – which became a boarding school for Polish children when 30 were brought here from a camp for war orphans in Cheshire.
All lessons were conducted in English – and as the headteacher Mr Jaworski explained, academic progress was not the only focus.
He said: “It must not only be a good school, it must be a good home, also.”
The Polish school closed in the late 1950s, but as we know there is a thriving Polish community in Stevenage today.
The museum is holding events alongside the exhibition, including a lunchtime talk on Polish Papercuts, on January 12 and 27 – and you can work with a artist to produce your own papercut.
The talk is from 1pm to 2pm, and costs £3.75 (£3 concessions).
The art classes will be 11am to 12 noon, for ages eight and up and will be free of charge. There will be a class from 1.30pm to 4pm for adults.
Book in advance. For more see facebook.com/stevenagemuseum.
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