BUDDING ARTISTS EXPLORE POTENTIAL IN NEWCASTLE
A collaboration between The Smith Family and Newcastle Region Art Gallery (NRAG) will give 12 local students the opportunity to explore their artistic potential over a two-day workshop funded by the Clemenger Group, culminating in the finished artworks being displayed for friends and family.
The pilot ArtCastle program will run on the 20th and 21st of April and has been offered to Year 10, 11 or 12 students from Newcastle and the Central Coast who had previously shown interest in pursuing an arts-related career and who have shown a commitment to furthering their education. Activities will include drawing and painting and work with sculptures, the use of recycled materials and the creation of an installation.
Over the two day workshop, participating students will work on individual and group art works, guided and educated by three artists and supervised by a Smith Family Learning for Life Worker.
The Smith Family’s Personal Development Program Manager, Yvonne Dierolf, said ArtCastle has been offered in Newcastle following the success of the BELLA art workshop facilitated by the Museum of Contemporary Art each year in Sydney in association with The Smith Family.
We are thrilled to now be able to offer the opportunity to Newcastle and Central Coast students to explore their potential in the field of art through exposure to real artists and creative insights,” Ms Dierolf said.
ArtCastle aims to give students the skills and confidence to explore and develop their own creativity, imagination and potential; express their individuality and make a statement through the creation of an artwork; work co-operatively with others; express their opinions and offer constructive criticism, including self criticism.
Conducted out of the NRAG, ArtCastle will offer participants the opportunity to interact with students from different backgrounds and schools. Students were encouraged to build social relations and learn something about working together as a team as part of the artistic challenge.
We’re grateful to Clemenger Group for funding ArtCastle and, following its success, have a view to incorporating further art spaces in the Newcastle area into the program in the future,” said Ms Dierolf.
The celebration afternoon tea will take place on Tuesday 21 April between 2pm and 3pm at the NRAG.
Media Release: The Smith Family
