Gill Sakakini, Pioneer Priest in the Arts in Shepton Mallet, has been working with St Cuthbert’s Junior School in Wells, as part of her time as Artist in Residence on Holy Island.
Work created by pupils at St Cuthbert’s and children at St Aldhelm’s School in Doulting travelled with Gill to Holy Island. Prayers written and recorded by pupils at St Cuthbert's were also displayed in the St Cuthbert’s Centre where the residency took place. Class teacher Roisin McKie says, “It’s been brilliant. To get the whole school involved at the same time and with the same goal has been really quite powerful.”
To reach her residency at St Cuthbert’s Centre on Holy Island Gill walked the 62-mile St Cuthbert’s Way, from Melrose in Scotland to Holy Island in Northumberland. The work created during her time there was inspired by the life of St Cuthbert, known as ‘Cuddy’. It was also the theme she explored creatively with the children.
As well as undertaking art projects with them, Gill also brought a handmade coracle into the classroom, helping the children explore the meaning of journeys and pilgrimage. Roisin shared how inspirational these topics were, “Every class had a different theme for their Celtic-inspired prayers, focusing on the natural world. Then we connected these to parables and Bible stories, and the children recited their prayers on video. Gill took those recordings with her, so people visiting the centre on Holy Island could hear the children’s voices, as well as the children in the tiny Church of England primary school on the island. It was very special for the children to know their prayers and prints were shared at the other end of the country.”
Gill described her experience on the island as being “Deeply rooted in the rhythms of the island. The place is truly inspiring with rhythms of prayer, embedded in historical and contemporary faith and worship which echoes the tides and the beauty of wildlife, seabirds and the ever changing elements.”
Roisin says St Cuthbert is a year-round focus in the school’s curriculum, especially in Years 5 and 6. “We explore his miracles, his faith, and his legacy. So, to see their work on Holy Island, where he lived and worshipped, gives that learning a real-world impact.”
The project also included a Zoom call between the school and Gill on Holy Island, along with Rev. Kay, who shared stories from the island and showed the children how their art had been displayed. Roisin says, “It was exciting for them to see it all come together. It helped them see how faith can cross boundaries. It doesn’t just belong in school or church—it can happen anywhere.”
All the art work created by Gill and the children will go on display in St Cuthbert’s Church in the centre of Wells between Wednesday 28-31 May between 10am and 4pm. Gill will lead an all-age art activity based on the residency on Thursday 29th from 2-4pm.