ACCLAIMED artist David Bent welcomed Churchfields Academy students into his studio yesterday as part of a series of events to celebrate his renowned aviation art.

The visit came ahead of the launch next month of his year-long retrospective at the RAF Museum, in London, entitled Fresh Air.

David said: “The year nine children visited me as part of an education programme I am building up around my exhibition at the museum.

“We are encouraging young people to explore the subject of aviation using my work as a catalyst.”

The students took part in a workshop at David’s studio in Old Town and they got the chance to chat with the artist about his thought-provoking creations.

“It was the first time this group has had a session with me and it was two-way process which allowed me to find out about the subjects they are interested in,” he said.

“I will visit them in a month or so and I am arranging for them to come up to the RAF museum, where they will have a chance to speak to one of the pilots we have built up a relationship with.”

Jim Robbins, a support worker at Churchfields Academy, expressed his excitement at joining up with such a talented figure.

“We are delighted to be part of this,” he said.

“As a school it is really important to get involved with artists and other professionals working in the community.

“They can provide a lot of inspiration and it’s really exciting to be part of a project like this.”