In celebration of HM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Rolf Harris joins a team of 60 inspiring artists as they capture 60 years of royal history on canvas... and on walls!

Six art and design students were chosen for a very special challenge this month after they volunteered to take part in a new TV show celebrating HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The new BBC show entitled ‘Rolf Paints… The Diamond Jubilee’, due to be screened next month, will see the Australian born singer-songwriter, composer, painter and all-round TV personality following a team of 60 inspiring artists as they try to capture 60 years of royal history on canvas – or in this case, on walls!

Students (from the Art - BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary/Extended Diploma course at our Clapham Centre) Rochelle Fennel, David Prescod, Samson Famuson, Macdonald Sahondo, Nana Boakye and Lana Wheeler jumped at the chance of spending two days in the company of professional artists associated with the Positive Arts organisation based in south London.

Rolf and co-presenter Anneka Rice hope to discover many of the great creations painted during The Queen’s reign that began in 1952. Here in Stockwell’s legal graffiti pen he explored the techniques and culture of street art that took prominence during the 1980’s. Rolf is no stranger to south London either. At the age of 22 he studied painting at the City and Guilds School in Kennington before launching himself into a career that has spanned six decades.

David Prescod, 19, from West Norwood, is heading to the University of Central Lancashire in the autumn to study for a degree in Animation. He said: “I have found these two days of training fascinating. It’s been an honour to meet a legend such as Rolf Harris and also the guys from Positive Arts. They have taught us all some great techniques.”

Lana Wheeler, 18, from St James’ Park, couldn’t wait to get started on this project. She said: “I am so excited by the prospect of working on murals. I would like to go to university next year and study conceptual art, graphic design and illustration. Today I’ve learnt a lot about graffiti and its culture and history. Meeting Rolf was very special.”

The show’s VT Director, Jacqui Farnham said: “The students have been really great. They were patient, polite, very interested to learn and they have made a wonderful contribution to the show.”

Related Item: Art and Design at Lambeth College

In Pictures: (Large size) Rolf and students paint the Diamond Jubilee