VCAL

As part of the VCAL program's 'Activity Projects', a small group of Years 11 and 12 students were given the opportunity to participate in a collaborative art project.  The project was inspired by international artist Luke Jerram, who is known for his interactive

public art installations, involving whimsically stylised pianos placed in random locations throughout the world.

Thanks to the music departments, Luke Devenish and Tim Clifton for the donation of an old piano, 12 students were given the opportunity to do up their own whimsical piano.

In the beginning of the project, a small group of students were in charge of coming up with themes and design for the decorating the piano, whilst other students prepared the piano by cleaning it and sanding it down.   Over the weeks, students pulled the piano apart, painted their designs and then put the piano back to together. Finally the piano was moved to its new location in the senior canteen area, ready for anyone to play.   It may still be old and not play that well, but it is a sight to put a smile on every students face. 

Every Thursday in their team, students learnt a number of new skills and have successfully completed the following:

• Researched themes and ideas
• design the art to go onto the piano
• cleaning and sanding down the piano in preparation for painting the piano
• lay a grounding of gesso in preparation for painting the piano
• remove and sand down all piano keys to be painted individually
• fix the large hole in the back of the piano with a piece of MDF board
• paint the back with chalk board paint
• paint the design on all sides of the piano
• measure and attach acrylic glass sheet to place in front of the piano
• paint a coat of vanish over the complete piano.
• move the piano to a new location in the canteen area.

Working together, problem solving and taking ownership to the project, the students turned on old run down piano into a work of art.