This week MLMC has celebrated UNESCO’s International Arts Education Week with a series of lunchtime activities exploring the world of art around us. Each lunchtime, students of all year levels were invited to the Sinnott Visual Arts building for an exciting new focused workshop.
Kicking off the week, on Monday 23 May, we worked on a community mural in the style of Japanese-born pop artist Takashi Murakami. This entailed using Copic brush markers to replicate Murakami’s iconic and colourful ‘flowers’ and collaging them together for a final decorative piece.
The next day, we explored the unique line art style of American street artist Keith Haring. Posca paint markers were used to achieve his signature bold lines and bright pops of colour.
Mindfulness was the topic of Wednesday’s workshop, using watercolour paints and pencils to colour the intricate line work of mandala patterns.
Thursday's workshop was inspired by the story of Catherine McAuley’s ‘comfortable cup of tea’, as decorative tea cup and saucer designs were conceptualised on worksheets. The best of which is to be produced in a high-quality vinyl finish with the College’s Cricut machine.
Bringing a close to the week’s activities, Friday's workshop was a leisurely viewing of Bob Ross’s iconic ‘The Joy of Painting’ series with a side of popcorn, as we finished off any unfinished artworks.
A hit among art lovers across a range of year levels, Studio Art student Trinity Kindness (Year 12 Orange) said:
“During lunchtimes for Art Education Week, I’ve been able to sit down with my peers and relax while having creative freedom to colour and draw; the small but ever-growing community is welcoming and it’s lovely to see people from every year level come together for art. I always love to take some time out of my day to sit and paint and Arts Education Week has helped me to continue that.”
Student Kye Arnot (Year 11 Silver) said:
“I love seeing every year level really get involved in Arts Education Week. I think learning and celebrating art is so important for young creative minds.”
UNESCO’s International Arts Education Week is held in the fourth week of May each year, celebrating “art, in all its diversity, an essential component of a comprehensive education for the full development of the individual”.
