Interview with Arla Anderson

Art & Year 6 Teacher

How long have you worked at

BNPS?

I started teaching Art here at BNPS in 2007, so this is my 17th year!

Who inspires you?

Creative thinkers who explore, experiment and have the ability to look at things differently. I have many in my life including friends and family, but I have to say the most significant is my dad.

What is your favourite thing to do on weekends?

I love to relax and spend time with my family. I also enjoy catching up with friends, eating out at great restaurants, going to concerts and exhibitions.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

I am mostly a night owl but with teaching as my profession I have trained myself to go to bed earlier.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?

I lived and studied in Italy doing art restoration.

My studies included European art history, chemistry and entomology (the study of insects). I had many amazing experiences working on old art works within churches and palaces.

What recently made you smile?

I’m very lucky being the art teacher my days are filled with smiles created by so many students from Prep to Year 6.

Most recently was watching Prep share their art works at assembly and our Year 6 art captains who organised and ran it so well.

If you could swap places for a day, who would you choose?

I would choose one of my favourite sculptors like Tony Cragg or Louise Bourgeois. It would be a wonderful experience to work in an impressive studio space with a well-equipped workshop, abundance of materials and a team of assistants. Even if it was just for a day.

What would you like to say to your students?

A terrific quote!

“Creativity is intelligence having fun”.

- Albert Einstein