Vitality in students’ art

COLOURFUL artworks produced as part of last year’s Noosa Biosphere Art Prize Artists-in-Schools program are on show at Noosa Regional Gallery.
Gallery director Nina Shadforth said the eclectic displays, featuring the work of Good Shepherd Lutheran College and St Andrew’s Anglican College students, provide a vibrant taste of what’s on offer in this year’s Floating Land program.
“Local schools were invited to pitch their interest in the program as a way to learn through the visual arts, what it means to live, work and play in a Biosphere,” Ms Shadforth said.
“The two residencies allowed for primary and secondary level students to work closely with the artists to investigate their surroundings and create art in the environment.”
Artists Wendy McGrath and Wanda Bennett helped the students hone their creative flair. Wendy McGrath worked with the Good Shepherd Lutheran College secondary students, while Wanda Bennett coached primary students from St Andrew’s Anglican College.
Artist Wendy McGrath said being awarded the Noosa Biosphere Environmental Art Prize and the residency at Good Shepherd College gave her a great opportunity to take ideas about art and environment into the wider community.
The program offered students artistic enrichment, while teaching them environmental awareness, Ms Shadforth said.
“This exhibition forms part of this year’s Floating Land program and we’re delighted to host these artworks from some very talented children,” she said.
Floating Land will transform the Lake Cootharaba foreshore at Boreen Point from 2 October to 5 October for the long weekend.
The Floating Land 2015 program is available via Noosa Council’s website at www.noosa.qld.gov.au/floating-land