Vietnam’s first Big Draw

By Allison Cargill

The 2014 Big Draw theme ‘It’s Our World ‘was an apt starting point for Vietnam’s very first participation in the Big Draw. As a British teacher working in Hanoi I was already aware of the Big Draw, its origins in the UK and its continuing expansion on a global scale. After two years of teaching in a British International School in Hanoi I was eager to join any events taking place in Vietnam. The organisers informed me there had never been any Big Draw events in Vietnam, therefore, why didn’t I organise one of my own. ‘What a brilliant idea!

With lots of support from the Big Draw team, my school management team, local artists and Susan Coles we accomplished six projects. Three of the most successful events have photographs below with links to YouTube.

Susan Coles, Allison Cargill and BIS Hanoi students working on a group mural coordinated by Susan Coles at Thinh Dai Pagoda.

Children were enthralled by the work hung in their classroom. Two of the works were sold at the schools TET auction and some of the money was donated back to the Pagoda to be used for school fees. In Vietnam where the average salary is between £100 and £200 per month, the 73 million Vietnam Dong (£ 2,265 ) raised from the sale of Key stage 1 to Key stage 5 artwork will go a long way to supporting charities linked to BIS Hanoi.

Children love to paint directly onto walls and Year 8 had a fantastic time transferring their ideas into wall murals in their recreation room. Students discussed ideas and decided to portray their ‘Vietnamese world ‘on one wall and what they thought represented Britain on the opposite wall.

Renowned local artist Pham Luc works with students on large Lacquer panels.

Students enjoyed the opportunity to learn how to transfer their ideas onto large lacquer panels using traditional Vietnamese lacquer techniques. Over 20 million Vietnam Dong was raised from the auction of two smaller lacquer works, made by students under Pham Lucs' guidance. The two larger panels depicting a Vietnamese Festival and the four countries that constitute the UK are displayed in the school and attract many positive comments and admiration from visitors.

Completed lacquer panel depicting the four countries within the UK.

Mr Tung, TA next to lacquer panel depicting Vietnamese festival.

One of the works from the ‘Draw your Dinner competition.

Primary teachers experimenting with mark marking.

We were all very sad to see Susan Coles leave Hanoi, she generously offered to carry the ‘Draw your Dinner postcards’ back to the UK to ensure they would arrive in time, we hope her suitcase wasn’t too heavy. She had left behind a huge impact through her Primary Inset, Inspiring talk to students, visit to Thinh Dai Pagoda and infectious enthusiasm and sense of fun. At BIS Hanoi our first Big Draw has been a wonderful opportunity for students, parents, local artists, and the wider community to collaborate and share their achievements, it has also raised the importance of drawing as well as raising a substantial amount of money , shared amongst three of the charities supported by the school ;