ONE: Pupils go green with their recycled art show

AVENUE House School in Ealing has taken a pioneering step to raise awareness of recycling, by using cast-off materials to create art.

The results of the school-wide project are now being displayed in a new exhibition, Growing Our Future, in The Studio at PM Gallery.

Recently registered as an EcoFriendly School, Avenue House is working to achieve a greener environment.

Staff and pupils are monitoring energy consumption by switching off unnecessary lights, collecting milk carton lids and saving stamps for recycling.

Growing Our Future promotes the importance of recycling through the children's artistic talent. Every pupil has worked on a variety of recycled materials with paints, inks and oil pastels to create distorted textures and ultimately a spectacular recycled forest.

The Growing Our Future project was inspired in part by the school's development of a Children's Garden, in which children will be able to grow flowers, vegetables and herbs while learning new gardening skills.

Project co-ordinator and Avenue House art teacher, Nicola Jory said: "I hope the project has given the children, and those who see the exhibition, ideas about how rubbish can be used to create something that can be appreciated by all."

Growing Our Future is on at The Studio, PM Gallery, Mattock Lane, Ealing until Sunday, June 7.

What? Growing Our Future

Where? The Studio at PM Gallery

When? Until Sunday, June 7

Cost? Free

See: www.avenuehouse.org

TWO: A rare combination

PROFESSIONAL, amateur and student artists are joining forces to create a stunning display of art across the borough.

Co-ordinated by the Acton Community Forum, the Acton Arts Forum is a showcase for recent and new work which is launched tomorrow (Saturday) in Acton High School with displays at the Dominion Centre, Southall and PM Gallery, Ealing until July.

Rachel Pepper, community organising for ACF, said: "Professional artists, students of art, cultural groups, schools and colleges all come together for this event. It is a cross-section of artists and it is a rare opportunity to have this combination of art. Each year we are getting further into the borough. This is the first time we have been at the PM Gallery, which is a wonderful opportunity."

The exhibition is at Acton High School,. Gunnersbury Lane, Acton until Wednesday, June 3, then at the Dominion Centre, The Green, Southall, June 5-17 and finally at the PM Gallery, Mattock Lane, Ealing, from June 25-July 5.

THREE: Collector's heaven

THIS fair is a must for collectors and anyone looking for a special piece of antique furniture.

With prices ranging from £30-£30,000 the fair will appeal to connoisseurs and first-time buyers alike.

An unusual display of rare medical and scientific instruments will be a major attraction, including a doctor's leather medicine case from the 1920s, with 48 bottles of various pills.

What? Antiques and fine art fair

Where? Royal Masonic School, Chorleywood Road, Rickmansworth

When? May 29-31, 11am-5pm

Cost? £5

See: www.cooperevents.com

FOUR: Toe-tapping re-creation of 1980s classics

A HUSBAND and wife team is staging a spectacular show with classic 80s hits which will also star youngsters from Beck Children's Theatre.

Pop Goes The 80s at the Beck Theatre celebrates the 1980s with great music from that decade including Thriller, Footloose and Fame and artists such as Madonna, Adam Ant and Wham.

West End singers, dancers and an on-stage band will be joined by youngsters from The Beck Children's Theatre in a stunning performance of Belinda Carlisle's Heaven is a Place On Earth.

Sheena Beckett, who stars in and produces the show with her husband

Allan, said: "Having the children with us is very special. It gives them the chance to take to the stage, perhaps for the very first time, and you never know what that may spark in them."

Pop Goes The 80s is at the Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes, on June 6 at 7.30 pm. Book on 020 8561 8371 or online at www.becktheatre.org.uk .

What? Pop Goes The 80s

Where? Beck Theatre

When? Saturday, June 6

Cost? All seats £16

See: www.becktheatre.org.uk

FIVE: Express yourself in new,creative ways

FIND the actor in you with drama games and exercises led by a local theatre expert at the Opening Doors to Learning Festival, the first of its kind in Ealing.

The festival is being launched at Trail Finders in West Ealing on Monday next week, from 4pm to 6.30pm.

There will be interactive discussions and performances from Twyford High School's Gospel Choir, Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year 2009.

As part of the Ealing Festival of Learning, Rachel Knightley, a theatre practitioner and teacher, will help you use your voice, body and imagination to create new worlds and express yourself in ways you didn't know you could.

Her workshop, for eight plus, will be among a host of activities and events, all free, organised by youth groups, schools, universities, theatre companies, historic houses, country parks, police and environmental groups across the borough.

There will be talks, film viewings, mini-beast hunts, drama workshops and many other events, giving everyone a chance to experience something new.

The festival runs for the whole of June. Rachel's workshop is being held in Walpole Park, Ealing on June 14, from 2-3pm. Book at info@point303.org.uk or 07870 630 788.

The ever-growing programme can be followed on the website's events calendar - see address below.

What? Open Doors to Learning Festival

Where? Trail Finders, West Ealing

When? From June 4-30

Cost? Free

See: www.egfl.org.uk/learningfestival