The showcase of work created by P7 pupils in Burnfoot Primary School took place on Monday 11th April ’05 at the school.  On show was the entirely unique jigsaw, entitled “Sniffing”, which was the result of weeks of hard work by the young people as part of the Verbal Arts Centre’s ‘BUZZ Programme’.  They also performed a short play entitled, “Try some of this”, which they wrote.  It was based on how to say “No” to a drug pusher. 

Jigsaw

BUZZ Programme Co-ordinator, Cynthia Browne, explained the project; “As part of the BUZZ Programme, some groups go on to produce professionally finished items which can act as deterrents to other young people from using drugs such as the jigsaw developed by this particular group.  These young people decided to create a massive jigsaw which depicts a story of a young boy who is persuaded to try solvents and eventually collapses while his ‘mates’ run away – unfortunately this scenario is all too typical as young people are frightened when things go horribly wrong.  This jigsaw(link) will act as a memorable and valuable advertisement to other young people as to how solvent abuse can have tragic consequences.  The young people painted the backgrounds of each piece then took photographs of themselves as the models in each scene, cut these out and then stuck them down onto the paintings.  The resulting pictures are a curious yet attractive mix of reality and a cartoon world.  It is intended that the jigsaw will travel around and be displayed in different venues that young people frequent.  The young people involved in the project have enjoyed all the activities thoroughly and have shown a remarkable variety of skills and talents in the process especially commitment, dedication, working as a team and sheer hard work.”

Anyone wishing to see the jigsaw puzzle, or requiring further information on the BUZZ Programme, can contact Cynthia at the Verbal Arts Centre on 02871 266946. 

Please also see Scholastic Magazine’s inclusion of the “Sniffing” jigsaw.

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