Chum Creek artist Janet Hayes and student Amber reflect on a still life which will provide future students with a lasting image of the school in 2007.By Kath Gannaway
ART is not only part of the curriculum at Chum Creek Primary School, it’s part of school life.
Well-known local pastel artist and school parent Janet Hayes is the latest artist to add to the school’s evolving exhibition of works.
Ms Hayes donated a magnificent still life featuring a collection of items found around the school and brought along by the students.
“I was inspired to work on an art project with the school through watching different art projects evolve – Savaad Felich’s sculptures, Jane Curry’s mosaic, Linda George’s mural, all of which were developed with the children of the school, including my own two,” Ms Hayes said.
Ms Hayes said she wanted to present the pastel painting as a token of her appreciation of the wonderful education the school and in particular the teachers, have provided for her children Aidan and Tahlia.
“I thought it may be a unique and hopefully inspiring activity to develop a painting from its inception through to the finished framed artwork with the students.”
Ms Hayes visited the school once a week for two terms, working in the staffroom with small groups of students who watched, did their own sketches and asked questions.
Ms Hayes’ initial collection of classroom objects, including sports equipment, books, an abacus and feathers from the school’s chooks, were soon added to by the students.
“Lots of items turned up in the second week including a dinosaur on a skateboard, glove puppets, cushions, pencils … a real mixture,” she said.
Some items have particular relevance.
The book Mrs. Wish-Washy, a prep level book Ms Hayes said was read by just about every student at the school, the school’s wombat mascot Chubs and a silver trophy known as The Chum Creek Cup.
The trophy was presented to the school by police more than 15 years ago after the community became the focus of a search for prisoners who had escaped from Pentridge.
“As the police net tightened around the escapees police escorted students to school,” Ms Hayes explained.
The prisoners were eventually recaptured and the police involved were invited to a Cup Day barbecue at the school.
“They presented the cup to the school and it has been used as a trophy in the school’s Chum Creek Cup, a cardboard horse race held ever since,” she said.
Ms Hayes said one of the most challenging aspects of the project which took place over two terms last year, was to arrange the eclectic collection.
The framed work is now a feature of the school library.
“I hope that future students will enjoy the work and get a sense of the school as it was in 2007,” Ms Hayes said.
