Visual Arts
Art Excursion to The Cultural Centre - Beginnings Exhibition
On Friday, 6th May, Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts students attended an excursion to the exhibition Beginnings, which showcased a selection of works from the 2021 HSC Visual Art cohort from local Blue Mountains schools.
The HSC students who were selected for this exhibition, persisted throughout the challenges of lockdown and as a result created exceptional artworks. Visiting this exhibition was an excellent opportunity to gain an insight into the process of past Year 12 students in creating their major works in one for the most disrupted and unusual years impacted heavily by the challenges of COVID. These young artists had the opportunity to discuss their concepts and creative process, allowing for our students to gain an understanding of the importance of conveying ideas through medium.
Additionally, we had the opportunity to view local artist Clara Hali’s exhibition Circles and Squares. It was a great chance for students to see and discuss the work of a professional artist. Her exhibition included a variety of sculptures, found objects and life drawings, to create an outstanding exhibition that captivated its audience.
Throughout the day we also learnt the importance of curatorial skills, in putting together the layout and plan of an exhibition. Students created mini models of exhibition layout, where students selected artworks that connected to the theme of their exhibition and exhibited them on each wall of the structure.
Students also had the opportunity to visit the gallery’s packing room, to view the Cultural Centre’s growing artistic collection and the inner workings of a public gallery and its curators.
We would like to thank the Cultural Centre for an engaging art experience.
We encourage members of Blue Mountains Grammar community to view the exhibition Beginnings at The Cultural Centre in Katoomba and see the exciting work of four of our Visual Arts students: Milla Gibson, ‘ Deterioration of Memory and Matter’, Kalana Campbell Fuller ‘More Than Two’, Rosie Sullivan ‘Vacancy’ and Mitchell Herron ‘Rukenfigure Microcosms of Collective Memory’.
Ella McDowell has her Body of Work ‘Simplicity of Form’ Exhibited at the Hub in Springwood. 30 April – 12 June 2022.
To view 2021 students work from Years 7 to 12 please visit the BMGS virtual tour sponsored by Dr Ken Marshall: Blue Mountains Grammar School Art & Design Awards website
Mia Underwood and Oliver Stephens
Captains of Visual Arts
Visual Arts and Design Educators Conference CONFLUXUS 2022
On Friday 6th May and Saturday, 7th May, BMGS Visual Arts Teachers attended the annual Visual Arts and Design Educators Conference CONFLUXUS 2022 to share ideas, collaborate and be inspired by well renowned artists and educators.
This year’s key note presenters included artist Janet Lawrence, George Raftopoupos, Blak Douglas and Sassy Park. The conference provided the opportunity to hear what is happing in Visual Arts across a range of school’s exploring innovative ideas, partnership programs and innovations to inspire best teaching practice.
We were able to attend art writing and art making workshops and step back into the shoes of the learner reminding us as teachers how it feels to be inspired and energised by new ideas and creative approaches to in turn inspire our students in our own classrooms.
The conference provided a wonderful opportunity to meet and talk to art teachers from across NSW and share what we are doing in our various classrooms and schools. A wonderful cross fertilisation of ideas and solutions, driven by motivated and passionate teachers. We would like to thank the VADEA Executive, Project officers and administration for their significant contributions as volunteers. This conference was well-planned, well-resourced and jam packed full of inspiring content to maintain our zest for creativity in the classroom and drive to impart the importance of creativity in the world we live in today.
Mrs Sally Herron
Head of Visual Arts