Visual Arts

News from the Art Room

I am excited to be attending the 2026 Zart Art Conference in September. This year’s theme centres around PLAY - and the importance of it in contemporary artmaking and visual arts education.

Play is where curiosity sparks, materials surprise us, and ideas grow through doing. It’s not a break from learning — it is learning: the pathway to creative risk-taking, problem-solving, and genuine student voice. 

In the lead up to this event, I am excited to be adding a new feature to the visual arts program called ‘Art Play’. Running for a week each term, students across all year levels will be provided with opportunities for intentional and purposeful art-based play opportunities, using varied materials, whilst consolidating on specific skills we have covered during previous classes.

Artful play also serves as a reminder to students that creativity is pivotal across the curriculum, not just in the art room. We have been discussing the need for critical and creative thinking on a sports field, in a maths class, applying it through music and LOTE and we enjoyed discussing examples of people in our broader community who inspire us with their creative thinking.

Here is a small snapshot of art play so far. Activities will vary depending on age groups, weather and materials available. I look forward to sharing further updates next semester and bringing the art leaders along for the ride too, as we trial an art play lunchtime club in term three.

Production Update

We are making good progress with our sets and props for production. I am very grateful for those that have offered their time so far, both at school and taking things home to help make.

My sincere thanks to Helen Collins for her amazing contributions to our production sets. We are in awe of her talent. Please see the details below for her after school and school holiday art classes at her new studio!

Have a restful mid-year break and stay creative,

Jen Brown

Visual Art Teacher