Visual Arts in Focus 

Art teachers on tour

Miss Havard and Mrs Boyd report back after a recent professional learning experience over the holidays, during which they visited several exhibitions that have already begun to shape how they think about teaching Visual Arts at SMC. 

At Women Photographers 1900–1975, we found ourselves slowing down and really taking in the significance of the work. In an all-girls school, it felt especially meaningful to engage with a major exhibition of women photographers whose contributions have often been overlooked. Seeing works by artists such as Olive Cotton was a powerful reminder of how important it is for our students to see these histories, so they can recognise the role of women in shaping the arts and imagine what’s possible for themselves.

At Craft Victoria, the Members Only exhibition showcased Australian contemporary artists experimenting with materials in creative and unexpected ways. This is strongly connected to our ceramics program, which remains a favourite for many students. It reinforced the value of encouraging students to move beyond simply making objects and instead use materials to explore ideas, take creative risks, and develop their own artistic voice.

A visit to Top Arts 2026 was also incredibly inspiring. What stood out most was that the strongest works were not always the most complex, but those where students had clearly committed to an idea and developed it over time. 

Top Arts 2026, the VCE equivalent of Tasmania’s ArtRage exhibition, was also incredibly inspiring and a powerful reminder of what young artists in Years 11 and 12 are capable of. What stood out most was that the strongest works were not always the most complex, but those where students had clearly committed to an idea and developed it over time. It was a great reminder that persistence, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment are at the heart of meaningful learning.

Across the three days, we came away feeling both inspired and challenged, already thinking about new ways to support our students in developing their ideas with greater depth and purpose.

Professional learning like this is energising, and ultimately, it’s our students who benefit most.

Art Room takeover: Staff edition 

To close Term 1, the Visual Arts department offered SMC staff a creative workshop exploring print and paint processes, including playful experimentation with Gelli printing and layered painting techniques. The session echoed last term’s reflection on why art remains so important at SMC: not only for developing skills, but for sustaining curiosity, risk-taking, and learning through doing – no matter what age.

Staff were invited to step into the uncertainty of making, where outcomes are not predetermined and small discoveries emerge through process. There was a strong sense of enjoyment and immersion as participants explored mark-making, layering and unexpected results.

The workshop reinforced the value of making as thinking and the quiet satisfaction of creating something that didn’t exist before.

See the wonderful work created by our SMC staff on show throughout the corridors of the Senior School.

There are no straight lines

We’re excited to celebrate our Art Technician, Eloise Kirk, who is currently exhibiting in the group show There Are No Straight Lines at Rosny Barn Gallery. Opening on Thursday 14 May and running until Sunday 31 May, the exhibition explores ideas of time beyond a simple linear path, instead reflecting on cycles, repetition and the connection between past, present and future. Featuring a range of contemporary artists, the show invites viewers to consider how time shapes our experiences and understanding of the world. We warmly invite our school community to visit Rosny Barn Gallery and support Eloise’s work.