Small schools in the Gloucester region take part in cultural workshop

ARTS Gloucester, supported by MidCoast Council and Coastline Bank, recently orchestrated a day-long cultural workshop for local small schools.

Each year, Arts Gloucester hosts a cultural exhibition. This year, administrator Charlie Lethbridge was determined to include local schools in the event.

“The schools were eager to participate, but many expressed they lacked the cultural expertise to independently run such an event,” Mr Lethbridge explained to News Of The Area.

“Fortunately, I met Stephanie Phoenix, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educator at St Joseph’s School, who enthusiastically agreed to help create an event tailored for the small schools in the area.”

St Joseph’s School, along with Krambach, Barrington, Stroud Road, and Stratford Public Schools, all agreed to support the event, held on Wednesday, 3 June at Gloucester Recreation Centre.

Students engaged in five interactive activities designed to deepen cultural understanding and spark creative expression through art making.

“It was inspiring to witness students from different schools come together, fully immersed in each activity,” Ms  Phoenix remarked.

“Painting of the rocks was my favourite activity,” said Ally Bowden, from Stroud Road Public School.

Mr Lethbridge said that rocks for the workshop were gathered from each school’s grounds and then cleansed during a traditional smoking ceremony.

“Each student was then invited to create a graphic image that held personal meaning to them,” he said. “After the exhibition, the rocks will be respectfully returned to country.”

Katie Mitchell, the only Year 6 student at Stratford PS, and Henry Tighe, Year 3 from St Joseph’s, both said they enjoyed learning about the animals in the sky.

“I’m going to go out and try to look for them,” Katie said.

“Today was incredibly educational. Creating the large collaborative artwork was fun and really sparked our creativity,” said Hamish McGregor, of St Joseph’s.

“Events like this expand knowledge by encouraging conversations among students, their peers, and even their families,” Ms Phoenix explained.

“It’s a wonderful example of multi-generational learning.”

All the artworks created during the workshop will be showcased in the Sky Country Cultural Exhibition, held across Gloucester’s two galleries, The Gloucester Gallery and Midtown Gallery, from 18 June.

By Wendy BUSWELL