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Dolphin School to work with artist to design new emblem
The artist behind the Seven Saints of St Paul’s murals will work with The Dolphin School to create a new emblem.
In October 2020, the school community voted to replace its original emblem because the design closely echoed the Colston family crest.
The dolphin is understood to have been the emblem of the Colston family and can be seen on the their coat of arms, with four dolphins also featuring on the Colston statue plinth in the city centre.
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Following a public consultation and inviting artists and designers to pitch their work, the Montpelier school chose to work with Michele Curtis to create the new logo.
Michele is founder of Iconic Black Britons and is the artist and architect behind the Seven Saints of St Paul’s art project, which were painted in 2018 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the St Paul’s Carnival and the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Windrush generation.
Michele painted the Seven Saints of St Paul’s. Photo: Barbara Evripidou
“We’re thrilled that Michele is working with us to develop our new emblem,” says The Dolphin School’s vice principal, Kate Jenkins.
“She’s taken on board the feedback gathered during the public consultation and is now working with our pupils virtually to explore the power of images in telling a story.”
Key words that came out of the public consultation included “values”, “community”, “diversity”, “curious”, “intelligent” and “inclusive”, and Michele will work with pupils to explore how these can be symbolised in the new emblem.
“Art is a wonderful way for young people to express themselves,” says Michele. “There is increasingly more cross over between the creative industries and so many different sectors and I welcome every opportunity to empower young people through art.”
“I was thrilled to be selected to work with the school community to develop their new emblem. I don’t believe in erasing history, but we can evolve and move forward.
“It’s a privilege to be part of this collaborative project, working hand-in-hand with the school community to design a visual identity that reflects the hope and wonder that the children radiate in abundance.”
The new emblem is expected to be revealed in March 2021.
Main photo: Merchant Venturers
Read more: Dolphin School to change its name but not its emblem
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