The artistic endeavours of Wandin Yallock Primary School’s (WYPS) bright students was displayed at the Mont De Lancey homestead on 28 October.
Students made the trip down to the historic homestead to see the works included in this year’s exciting exhibition which will run for two weeks.
Led by visual arts teacher Courtney Sharp, she said the students look forward to the highly anticipated art showcase every year.
“The students know it’s coming, they look forward to it all year. They don’t know which pieces of work are in here…”
“For the whole school, it’s certainly a highlight.”
Ms Sharp said having students’ art showcased in a public exhibition made the moment feel extra special.
“I think it’s all about confidence and just having fun enjoying it.
“I always love seeing their faces as they walk in the door and see it for the first time.”
A range of artistic mediums and inspirations were on show, with each work individually crafted by a budding young artist at WYPS.
Through printmaking, students recreated the earthy and ancient Terracotta Warriors by etching into foam and then taking repeated prints to transfer onto paper.
The school also took inspiration from Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander artists, such as the Aboriginal artist and Anmatyerr woman Emily Kam Kngwarray.
Borrowing faithfully from Ms Kngwarray’s use of batik techniques, students poured cold wax onto paper and painted over once it had dried.
The works on show were made by students from grade prep to six.
Ms Sharp said the parents of students also found it exciting as it was often their first time seeing their children’s works.
“You’ll see the preps, they’ll grab their grade six buddies and they’ll be pointing to everything and then we’ll have families coming through who get to see their work for the first time.”
Ms Sharp said it was clear the students took inspiration from the beauty of the Yarra Ranges.
“We absolutely bring all our experiences into our art, and our local community really does play into it as well.”
WYPS has a “lovely connection” with the Mont De Lancey homestead and Ms Sharp said its students acted as group leaders when other schools went on excursions.
“We sent down some of our school leaders and they act as group leaders. So our students are part of the excursions for other schools, so it’s a lovely leadership program.”
She said Wandin Yallock Primary School was a beautiful school which values its arts program.
‘I’m very lucky to be in a school that does value it that much.”
