SOUTH East students have been inspired to create a school mural after a trip to Adelaide to explore their creativity.
Year 8-12 Allendale East Area School students travelled to Adelaide as part of their Art in the Community studies with the assistance of R-12 visual arts teacher April Hague.
Ms Hague was recently recognised for her outstanding contributions within her teaching professionalism.
Backed by the Wyatt Trust fund, students ventured the city exploring publicly displayed artwork.
“The students who attended have been studying street art throughout their community studies work and are very engaged with their learning in the visual arts,” Ms Hague said.
“We did two street art tours, including the Wonderwalls project located in Port Adelaide and another in the city.
“A highlight of the tour was a full day workshop with Adelaide artist Lisa King at her Cult and Harper studio.”
Students honed their painting techniques, creating a mural now on display within the school community.
“Students had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with Lisa King,” Ms Hague said.
“We also visited the Careers Fest listening to a range of inspirational speakers such as Mount Gambier Riddoch Art Gallery/City Council cultural development officer Serena Wong, Wollongong mural artist Claire Foxton and international fashion designer Paolo Sebastian, who has designed dresses for many celebrities and is based in Adelaide.
“I understand the complex needs of my students and this is evident in the outcomes achieved within the Art In The Community project.”
Allendale East Area School Year 8 student George said the project was rewarding.
“I like the mural as it is as if the person and the birds in the painting have a bond with one another,” George said
“I thought the background looked quite weird, but then we added the subjects and the painting came to life.
“I would definitely like to be involved in something similar throughout the upcoming years.”
Ms Hague worked with fellow artist Charlene Riley recently to create a mural in Penola inspired by strong women in society fighting back against gender stereotyping.
Three of her students were invited to participate in creation of the mural, helping speed up the process.
Ms Hague said she drew on her 20 years of experience in teaching, working as an artist and more recently a muralist in the community as part of the design process.
“We did not want to directly paint anyone, just someone who radiates strength and empowerment,” she said.
“Street art in Australia has moved from being a relative sub-culture into the realm of pop-culture and this is especially apparent in regional cities both here and overseas.”
