November 2009 Vol. 1, Issue 10 (PDF - 16.2Mb) - Department of ...

Visual Art
Shine 33
Capturing the spirit
of Christmas
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HERALD AND WEEKLY TIMES PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION
A print created by a Sunshine Special
Development School student will grace this year’s
Christmas card for the Victorian Curriculum and
Assessment Authority (VCAA) to send to clients
and stakeholders. Students have been honing
their printmaking skills all year with printmaker
Clare Whitney, who has been working at the
school courtesy of the Artists in Residence
program – a partnership between the Department
and Arts Victoria, with assistance from the
Community Support Fund.
The artwork chosen for the card is a print called
Tree Me, created by 18-year-old student David
Samaan. VCAA public affairs manager Justin
Shortal first saw the print at an exhibition the
school recently held in a Fitzroy café. “The name
Tree Me really fascinated me, and the print has
got a naïve grittiness to it that’s very appealing,”
Mr Shortal said. “But what impressed me
the most was how beautifully the works were
presented. The students’ artwork was given the
respect it deserves.”
And it is this standard of excellence that art
teacher Heath Lander has worked hard to foster.
He has been running exhibitions of student work
for four years, and says the students understand
that not just anything they produce will make
the final cut. “We set out to expect a high level of
artistic integrity rather than putting in everything
the students make,” he says. “We’ve generated a
culture of excellence amongst the students, and
it’s been a huge success for them.”
But the printmaking project wasn’t just about
producing high-quality art. Mr Lander says
the complex etching process refines fine-motor
and cognitive skills, as well as encouraging the
students to interact with unfamiliar people.
“They work as part of a group and they’re also
expected to work independently, which can be
challenging but is a very positive experience,” he
says. “So it gives them great independent living
skills and an ability to accept other adults, and
accept feedback and instruction from them.
It’s good to challenge them with other adult
influences.”
The students also benefit from learning
valuable work habits, independence and timemanagement
skills. “A lot of the time, what they
enjoy most is being treated in quite an adult way
and being expected to take responsibility for their
work habits,” Mr Lander said. “Having the space
we’ve created for a whole day, once a week has
given them a chance to become comfortable and
to relax, and be in a bit more control of their own
time. The exhibitions have been amazing. It’s been
such a great experience for the whole school to
have.”
Sunshine Special Development School students Brendan
(left) and Tommy, with printmaker Clare Whitney.
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