Our faculty had a dynamic year in 2019. Great works were produced by our students, significant new equipment was purchased and major changes to pedagogy were introduced.
Our top highlights were:
Artexpress
Warners Bay High School was thrilled to announce the nomination of three HSC Bodies of Work for Artexpress 2019. Congratulations to Renae C, Tahnee M and Melanie H. Artexpress is an annual exhibition featuring a selection of outstanding student artworks developed for the artmaking component of the HSC examination in Visual Arts in NSW. Well done to Tahnee M and Melaine H. Their artworks have been chosen to feature in this prestigious exhibition.
First Class 19
Our HSC Visual Arts students created outstanding artworks in 2019 and we celebrated the inclusion of students' work in the First Class 19 exhibition at the Museum of Art and Culture (MAC). This exhibition maintains a tradition of curating around a theme from outstanding work produced by Hunter and Central Coast HSC Visual Arts students. From the 2019 cohort Warners Bay High School had a staggering eleven students selected to exhibit. Congratulations to Monique C, Abbey H, Brad M, Bethany U, Madison W, Ellie P, Renae C, Tahnee M, Melanie H, Jasmine M and Jade B.
MULGA Mural – Diversity Walls
Our Major Art Project this year was a magnificent mural painted by Years 9 and 11 Visual Arts student in collaboration with internationally renowned artist, Mulga. The Diversity Walls project was funded by a Federal Government grant and the Hunter Multicultural Communities Centre. The Diversity Walls program is designed to advocate for, resilience, tolerance and social harmony.
MAD Night
Throughout the year students were provided with opportunities to perform, exhibit and manage equipment at MAD night. 2019 was another exciting year in which we showcased the amazing talents of students from across the Arts within the school and wider community. Our aim for MAD Night is to engage students and the wider community by encouraging creativity and inspiring to inspire everyone to think differently about making artworks, performing, connecting with others and reflecting on how the Arts fit in a modern world. The artworks and performances on show highlight the passion and dedication of the CAPA staff. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support.
Visual Arts GATS
Thank you to Ms Martin, all the staff, students, and parents who made our Visual Arts GATS program a wonderful and inspirational experience. The co-ordination, development and implementation of the Visual Arts GATS program created community partnerships within the Warners Bay area enabling Years 5 and 6 students from Warners Bay, Eleebana, Valentine and Biddabah Primary ,Schools to work with Visual Arts teachers and artists to participate in the 2019 Painting Program. The program consisted of several workshops designed for students to create a large mural within the Visual Arts space. The end product is a very impressive, boldly coloured wall that harmoniously features a variety of Australian animals. This program encouraged students to be active members of the school community and instilled a sense of pride and achievement.
Artist in Residence Program
Throughout 2019 Warners Bay High School continued to facilitate the “Artist in Residence” workshops. Year 9 Visual Arts students met with local Newcastle artist, Jen Denzen, whose artmaking practice centres on sculpture created out of recycled materials. Ms Denzen presented her work to the students and they took advantage of this hands-on opportunity to gain greater insight into the artist’s choice of subject matter, sculptural technique, and concept development. Year 9 Photography and Digital Media students met with local photographer ‘Dan’ and were given the opportunity to work with studio lighting techniques. Students involved in these workshops were provided with unique and authentic experiences by working with practising artists.
Charlestown Library Exhibition
In partnership with Charlestown Library and the Lake Macquarie Council, the CAPA Department created three mini exhibitions at Charlestown Library, showcasing Year 10 Ceramic students’ Teapot and Organica works and Year 10 Visual Arts students’ Still Life drawings.
Musician and Artist of the Month
The CAPA Faculty continued the concepts of Artist of the Month and Musician of the Month to highlight the success of students in individual Visual Arts, Ceramics, Photography and Digital Media and Music classes and to celebrate individual learning outside the assessment and reporting frameworks. Twenty four students received thse prestigious awards encouraging participation and confidence in their artmaking and the depth of talent in Music classes.
Moran Prize
CAPA congratulated and celebrated the achievement of Maya W, who was a finalist in this year’s national photographic competition, The Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize.
Excursions
Excursions play a crucial role in our teaching, providing authentic and real world experiences to complement class based learning and reinforce and enhance what has been taught in the classroom. Our Visual Arts students experienced a diverse range of excursions and exhibitions including Artexpress, Taronga Zoo, Luna Park and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Nobbys Beach and the Newcastle Art Gallery, Sculpture by the Sea, William Kentridge exhibition, Masters of Modern Art from the Hermitage exhibition, Cornelia Parker exhibition, Ben Quilty exhibition and Guan Wei exhibition.
Hunter Dance
The Hunter Dance Festival is a weeklong festival highlighting the range of styles explored through the study of dance in public schools. These performances are underpinned by creativity, confidence and respect for one another fostered by dedicated teachers. In July 2019, Mrs Kerr took dancers from Warners Bay High School to perform at NEX in front of a large audience along with many other primary and high school students from the Hunter Region. The confidence, encouragement and diligence these students displayed was exceptional. This was a fun and valuable experience for them to perform and represent our school. The Contemporary dance was a called “Technicoloured Beat”. This dance is based on vivid colourful dreaming with those you love, and living in the moment.
Teachers
Mrs Pfister and Mr Burton were provided with the opportunity to undertake HSC Visual Arts Critical and Historical Examination marking that allowed them to develop strategies to enhance our students' deep knowledge and understanding of the theoretical components of Visual Arts.
