A READING school will soon welcome its first visual artist in residence.

The Abbey School, in Kendrick Road, has appointed American-born Janet Curley Cannon, a mixed media artist with more than 20 years’ experience.

She will be taking up residency at The Abbey from April 29 to June 7.

Janet will move her studio into the gallery, and work in collaboration with pupils to create a piece of sculpture, from concept through to final piece.

Janet's work always has a social conscience, and this is no exception as this piece of work will be based on the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Throughout the process, pupils will have the opportunity work with and learn from a professional artist and contribute to her final work.

Janet’s residency will culminate in the gallery participating in the Whiteknights Studio Trail 2019, which runs from June 15 to 16.

Following a rigorous selection process, the gallery has been chosen as one of the coveted venues on the Trail, which attracts around 650 visitors each year.

In addition to Janet's work being displayed, two members of The Abbey staff have been accepted as Trail artists: art teacher Wendy Hodges and gallery manger James Suret.

Liz Harvey, director of art at The Abbey, said: "At the Abbey we recognise the value that art has in the development of our pupils.

"We are fortunate to have outstanding facilities, including a wonderful exhibition space.

"Pupils and students across the school create work of a very high standard, including at A-level and IB.

"We enjoy being a department with connections in our local artistic community and have worked with a number of local and nationally renowned artists.

"We are very excited about this new venture and look forward to sharing the results of the residency with our community."