Staff in Focus

Q&A with . . . Mr Mecham

As a part of the Creative Arts Exhibition team, visual arts and design teacher Craig Mecham spent hours curating the exhibit featured student works from every area of Technologies. Here he takes us behind the scenes . . .

St Norbert News: How many works were on show this year and roughly how many people viewed them?

CM: There were approximately 200/250 works across every area of Visual Arts and Technologies on exhibit and we had about 200 people attend on opening night. Throughout the week we had parents, students, people in the community, teachers, primary school visits, prospective parents and the Year 7s of 2023.

SNN: How long did it take to set up the exhibition and what was involved behind the scenes?

CM: We start to think about the Creative Arts Exhibition at the start of the new year. It’s a progressive culmination of students learning skills and process and showcasing their creative works. I start framing work in Term 2 and I begin planning on how I will execute the curation and how I will exhibit the projects for maximum viewing impact. I liaise with students to check on their progress with their work and the message that they wish to communicate through each piece as a constant process throughout the school year. 

SNN: What was your favourite piece?

CM: I take delight in seeing all works come into fruition from beginning developmental phase of ideation and concept, development of skills and process through to the final product with the excitement of showcasing all the students’ hard work and talent. All the works exhibited were my favourite!

SNN: There are so many options for students to pursue in Technologies. What careers might become of a student who excels in these subjects?

CM: Studying the Arts enables students to learn a valuable skill set that can transfer into any work place environment. Ideation, concept development, lateral thinking, problem solving, team building and being aware of the communities in we live and how we can improve and build upon making these communities thrive. The Arts allows students to get to know themselves which ultimately gives them a greater understanding of the world. Any endeavour that needs problem solving needs to have a creative minded approach. Some careers that students may pursue include Graphic Designer, Architecture, Artists, Engineering, Interior Design, Marketing/Advertising, Entrepreneur, Web Designer, Animation Creator, Film and Television, Teaching and Art Therapy.

SNN: What are some of the best elements of studying Visual Arts and Design at St Norbert College?

CM:  We have many fun and creative projects in our Courses that students can participate in such as, T- shirt design, album covers, photography, using the Adobe Suite like Photoshop and Illustrator, filming short films, comic book illustration, skateboard decks, creating models for films, set design, street art, sticker bombs, animation, painting and drawing, sculpture, stencil art (using spray paint), and making retro objects out of materials to name just a few!

SNN: How long have you been at SNC and what was your background prior?

CM: I have been teaching for 20 years, the last seven of these at SNC. Prior to this, I was a Graphic Designer and Photographer/Artist.

SNN: What inspired you to become a teacher?

CM: I have teachers in my family and was always inspired to work with young creative students and to encourage them to gain confidence in themselves and their abilities.

I enjoy helping them discover their talents and gifts and to realise their dreams of following career pathways which enable them to work in areas that they are passionate about. 

SNN: As well as having a passion for creative arts, you’re also keen on martial arts too? Is it true you have a black belt?

CM: Yes! I actually have a few black belts. One for going out, one for my work pants, one for Karate and one for Judo.

Mrs L Quartermain

(Community Relations and Marketing)