Locals schools have welcomed an art program that encourages primary and secondary students to learn Aboriginal dot painting, photography, printing, sculpture, mixed media and ceramics, among others.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The work produced by students in years 3-10 at Berinba Public, Yass High, Dalton Public, Rye Park Public, Boorowa Central, Jugiong Public and Gunning Public will be on display inside Yass Soldiers Memorial Hall during Education Week (August 5-9).
There was a sea of paint, glue and glitter at Yass Public on Friday as students put the finishing touches to their work.
Yass Public's very own teacher and artist, Lisa Marple, was showing students how to use mixed media. She and Wee Jasper Public School principal Michelle Andrews created the program.
"They (the students) seem to have really enjoyed it (the program) and a lot of them are doing things they wouldn't have done before," Mrs Marple said.
The program started with an excursion to the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra and was followed with two, two-day workshops of the students' choice.
A student could choose photography and Aboriginal art, as an example, taught by a professional artist at theirs or another local school.
"All of the artists are professional artists and use specialised equipment," Mrs Marple said.
A group of students in the classroom next to Mrs Marple's had been painting rocks, sticks and pieces of bark with local Ngunnawal Aboriginal elder Bob Buffington on Friday.
They were learning how to create Aboriginal dot paintings on material they found outside and on boomerangs, clap sticks and a didgeridoo.
"We're working with all natural stuff," said Imogen Bradley, aged 11.
Jack Davis, aged 12, was particularly enthusiastic about the dot painting and explained what he had learned.
"You get a pencil - the flat end is good - and you stick it into the paint. Then you want a tip on the paint and then you can turn it into a small or big dot," Jack said.
The workshop was followed with a traditional smoking ceremony, teaching the students more about Aboriginal culture.
CEO of the Onerwal Local Aboriginal Land Council and local Ngunnawal Aboriginal elder Brad Bell conducted the smoking ceremony.
He was also extremely supportive of the program.
"I think it's encouraging and not only rewarding for the Aboriginal community but also for students as it's such a significant part of their Australian history," Brad said.
"The smoking ceremony is very important. It's to ward off bad energy and put out positive energy. We often do it when we go to new country ... we use grasses or gum leaves," he said.
Other Ngunnawal Aboriginal elders involved in the workshops were Beryl Mundy, Robert Bulger and Lillian Bell. Local Ngunnawal Aboriginal community member Petie Bulger was also involved.
The Education Week art exhibition will be opened by the director of the local schools, Meg Cuvee.
