ALLENDALE East Area School is set to transform into an artistic display of work as students take part in the new SACE Art in the Community program.
Run for the first time this year with assistance from local artists, students will be given the chance to gain skills and explore their creativity through the creation of murals.
Beginning on Friday, the first group of Year 9 and 10 students met with artist Anthony Hamilton – who is known for his work at Metro – to discuss his artistic approach and how to begin their pieces.
“As a school, we wanted to offer more opportunities for our students and with this program we will focus on communication, self-expression and wellbeing,” art teacher April Hague said.
“After our first session with Anthony last week, they were all buzzing with ideas and eager to undertake the workshop held at the library.”
Each Friday for the next six months, the group of eight will meet to work on the program and develop their pieces, which will be displayed around the school.
The following semester, a new group and different artist will be chosen to work together.
“For the second half of the year we are thinking of working with at risk students who may be leaving school early or skipping class,” Ms Hague said.
“All students who participate will learn lots of new skills around visual art, but will also gain confidence, self-expression and team work skills and gain SACE credit for taking part.”
