Local students benefit from creative arts program
Published on 12 December 2023
Students from across Western Sydney have enjoyed the opportunity to explore a range of art mediums as part of a program run by Campbelltown Arts Centre, in partnership with the National Arts School.
Fifteen students from First Nations, Pasifika and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, predominantly from the Macarthur region have been participating in the program which began with a ceramics workshop teaching techniques and processes to create a clay sculpture about a place significant to them.
The students will also have their works showcased as part of the Fisher’s Ghost Art Award exhibition, which is open to the public until Friday 8 December.
“We’re proud to partner with organisations such as the National Art School in order to deliver training and skill development for aspiring young artists in the local community,” Mayor Dr George Greiss said.
“Through their participation in the prestigious Fisher’s Ghost Art Award exhibition, they’ll also have the opportunity to exhibit their works alongside some of Australia’s best known contemporary artists,” Dr Greiss said.
Several Western Sydney-based artists helped to lead the workshop programs, including Benjamin Akuila, Annabelle McEwen and Justine Youssef.
“In October and November, we have had a fantastic new partnership and collaboration with the Campbelltown Arts Centre, with a series of Art Intensive Workshops for Western Sydney Indigenous and other high school art students running onsite at NAS and CAC,” John Waight, Head of First Peoples Programs at National Art School said.
“Students from 10 schools took part in ceramics and printmaking workshops at the two venues, assisted by artist educators from both institutions. Students were also taken on a curator’s tour of the Fisher’ Ghost Art Award exhibition, where some of the student works are on show,” he said.
“The overall response to the program has been extremely positive - thanks to everyone involved, and the NSW Government for supporting it and investing in local talent.”
The students have also had access to tour the studios at the National School of Arts and Campbelltown Arts Centre while engaging with a student advisor to discover more about studying and working in creative industries.