The Arts

On Monday 20 May the year 12 Drama students experienced contemporary theatre at its finest, a contemporary adaptation of the Greek tragedy Medea. The production staged inside a glass room told the tale from the perspective of Medea’s doomed sons. Despite its ancient origins the story felt like a peek into a tumultuous modern household, the audience laughed along at the innocent games while awaiting the tragic ending we knew was inescapable.  

The opportunity to see this reimagining of a classic was the perfect way to immerse the students current working on their IA3 Directorial Vison task. The experience of viewing live professional theatre enhances the students experience in the subject both in theory and in practise while being a culturally rich experience that develops empathy and social tolerance.  

It was a great night, thank you to all students and wonderful teachers for attending.  

The Gap State High School Octet has been working hard before their submission to Musica Viva’s Strike a Chord school chamber music competition to produce a high level performance. These students prepare repertoire that is at our highest level in the strings program during Time4 each week. As we know, the skills these students gain by engaging with this program not only support their development as musicians but beyond to future employability skills and resilience within the labour market. I’m sure though that all these students are engaged not just for these future advantages but to enjoy the unique opportunity to perform chamber music which is often difficult to find avenues for access when in high school. These students are examples not only of how music can enhance academic engagement and engagement with community but also in the benefits of music in enhancing others’ lives and bringing joy to those around them. Certainly, our octet then exemplify the necessity of music education without our schools and demonstrate for other students how important a variety of study options are in enhancing their high school experiences and future career opportunities. Should you wish to hear the excellent work of these students, please be sure to come along to our next Tula concert where they will perform alongside our amazing music students. Where else can you gain such world class musical showcases except at The Gap State High School? We’re not sure! 

We can’t wait to properly celebrate these amazing musicians with you all at our concert next term. We are so proud of their efforts and commend them for their incredible work over the first semester. You have such bright, wonderful futures ahead of you! 

News from Visual Art Studio

On Friday afterschool, our students are working to complete self-directed projects of their choice –2D / 3D - painting, drawing, ceramics and skateboard stencilling has been popular for the students enrolled in this program this term. Students have been supported and actively assisted to generate and develop ideas and plans for artwork of their area of interest and choice of subject and medium used . With only a few weeks remaining we look forward to showcasing student work in our next Tula Gallery exhibition. 

Sculpture Program

In Term 3, we are pleased to offer a sculpture program with artist Carolyn V Watson. This program is open to all students - all level of expertise welcome (click on the below button  for enrolment information). 

Carolyn V Watson is a Meanjin/ Brisbane based artist who has worked across the mediums of painting, drawing and sculptural assemblage. An alumni of QCA, Carolyn has exhibited extensively throughout Australia over her 20 years of practice and her work is held in national and international collections. Carolyn’s work has been selected as a case study for Art as Alternate in the 2nd edition of The Creative Inquiry textbook.

In this process focused workshop, students will develop a range of fundamental armature construction techniques and new approaches to the sculptural form. Using non-traditional approaches, students will learn methods of wire construction, assemblage, and the importance of the repeated line. The aim of the program is to inspire and teach students how to develop a series of well-constructed armatures and how the choice of materials and tools, will influence the resulting form. 

Students will expand their understanding and appreciation of process, sculptural counterbalance, internal and external surface, and composition and develop increased confidence of how-to problem solve.

Concept drawing and collage will provide the platform for two forms to evolve – one representational (animal, botanical or figurative) and one abstract.

Students will work with Carolyn to complete each sculpture using a variety of tools and materials (wire, plaster bandage, air hardening clay, thread, timber, dowel, cane etc).

This workshop is open to any student interested and in any year level – no prerequisites required.  Please see attached pdf for enrolment.