Wudinna and Karcultaby Area Schools
PROJECT COORDINATOR: Sandra Frank
ARTIST: Gerry Wedd and George Aldridge
PROJECT: Funky Sculpture
Both of these Area schools are situated within 57kms of each other on the Eyre Peninsula. Wudinna has approximately 190 students from R-12 and Karcultaby has 80 students from R-12. Students from both schools are from farming communities.
Aims:
• For students to gain a greater understanding of sculpture as a medium for expression of ideas, as well as the various media that can be used.
• For students to explore their ideas both individually and in groups.
• For students to observe a professional artist at work while participating in creating large-scale works of art.
• To create permanent sculpture pieces to be placed in both schools.
• To involve students in a learning experience which draws upon the skills of professional artists.
Both Gerry and George worked on demonstrating and teaching their skills to the students with the aim of each student (and group) contributing in a creative way to develop the art works. Gerry made clay tiles, (see image) with the students, that were to be assembled into a large tile mural at Wudinna Area School.
George made junk sculptures with the students at both schools and showed the students how to weld and glue the materials to achieve the final result (see images).
Outcomes:
The junk sculpture project was approached enthusiasm by many of the boys while many of the girls enjoyed working on the clay tiles more. The students now have a better understanding of what it takes to be a professional artist and that it is not as well paid as they may have first thought! Some students really excelled working with these professional artists.
‘Both artists / projects were fabulous – most students became very involved and enjoyed the experience.’ Teacher
140 students across the two schools were involved in this visual arts project.
