ARTWORK

AT ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL, COLERAINE

I spent two full days with the Coleraine students, ranging from Prep to grade 6. On the first day, they showed me their new garden area which reflected the research they had done on the Aboriginal history of the area. It reflected Coleraine as a gathering place in which Aboriginal people would meet and trade. The children had been researching and drawing the animals that inhabit the area from the four different clans that came from the North-East, South-East, South-West and North-West surrounding areas. We talked about and looked at art, their art and mine and went through the story that each one told.

Learning the symbols

We then went onto symbols. I taught the children some local symbols, which they soaked in quickly and by the end of the day had made their own symbol story.

Coming up with a design inspired their stories

I then took their stories home and came up with a design for an artwork that incorporated some of the children’s stories but represented the gathering place that Coleraine was and included symbols and some of the animals they had been learning about.

The Cross

The large cross, represented their Christian beliefs.

Adding the Aboriginal symbols

Intertwining this with the Aboriginal symbols, having the symbols for men, women and children coming together and passing on knowledge through message sticks, which the school does on a daily basis.

The Finishing Touches

I prepared the artwork at home and had drawn on the finishing touches for the children to finish on my second visit to the school. Once that was done the children painted on the animal tracks and to finish, I added on each child’s handprint to complete the piece for the children to be proud of their contribution and finished product.

Gallery

Interative School Sessions come to You

Sherry Johnstone is not only an artist but also an educator and author. Over the past 15 years Sherry has invested her time into a diverse range of art projects around Victoria.

Collaborative art project involving children in school.

  • Aboriginal themed murals
  • Collaborative art projects/pieces with children
  • Commissioned artwork
  • Installation art

Materials required for class activities or art projects are to be supplied by the service or school, otherwise they will be added to the overall costs if unavailable.

Prices will vary and be calculated according to the distance travelled and reflective of the design/ materials activity required.

Contact Sherry at any time for a free quote.

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