A student's response to the Air Project

Tuesday 30th August, Mrs Margaret Whitlam launched the Artist in Residence (AIR) studio named in her honour.
One of the Bondi School Students welcomed her and expressed the advantage of having an artist on campus -
Here's what Frey Robinson had to say:
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, our honourable guest Mrs Whitlam,
It has been a great experience to have Caroline at our school. Since she set up her studio across the playground from our school it’s very convenient for us. She often invites our class to her amazing studio. It is really cool making stuff with caroline because she’s interesting to work with. She goes around our group helping, and offering suggestions that really help us get the idea. We have worked with vinyl and Perspex. One day she asked us to bring in our favourite treasure and we had to draw it, we have great fun and it has inspired me to do more art at home. She is a great sculptor "

Studio named in Margaret Whitlam's honour

Margaret Whitlam, one of Bondi Public School’s most esteemed former pupils, is returning to her alma mater to officially open the Artist in Residence (AIR) studio and an exhibition of work which has flowed from it.

Margaret, who attended the Wellington Street landmark between the years 1925-30, will have the classroom turned studio named in her honour. She will also launch a collection of work from Caroline Rothwell, the first artist in the program, and some of the art she has produced in collaboration with the children.

“It’s been a wonderful experience to collaborate with the community of the primary school and see what an extraordinary and complex job the education of kids is” said Caroline.

“Contemporary art is all about reflecting the world that exists around you and I think the kids are enjoying the challenge of making art that has a relevance to the way they live.”

sculpture @ bondi

sculpture @ bondi
Originally uploaded by bondipublic.

Students of 4/5/6 spent a few hours with Caroline exploring different forms of sculpture.
Please stand by for the official opening of the
Margaret Whitlam Studio
30th August 2005

Caroline Rothwell

Caroline Rothwell
Originally uploaded by bondipublic.

Caroline Rothwell has been selected as the inaugural artist in residence at Bondi Public School.

Caroline is a Bondi resident and will use the studio to create her solo exhibition for the Grantpirrie Gallery later this year.

"I would be working towards this exhibition throughout the residency. The children would be welcome to drop into my studio at arranged times and I will show them the work and discuss its progress. They could also come to the exhibition thereby experiencing the larger process of a professional artist’s working life...
My aim would be to maximize the benefits of the residency for everyone concerned... All the works I plan to make are appropriate for viewing by children. I believe kids and adults will engage with it in many different ways.
My art projects (with the children of) Bondi Public will deal in part with local flora and fauna and natural forces. Biological exchange between places and people is territory I have explored for more than five years in several countries.
I am excited about sharing these and other ideas with the Bondi Public School Community."

We welcome Caroline into our school community. We anticipate a mutually stimulating and beneficial relationship with the first of a long line of artists' in residence.

Selection Committee 18th Jan 2005

Selection Committee 18th Jan 2005
Originally uploaded by bondipublic.

The Selection Committe for the AiR Project meets to decide the successful application.

The artist chosen will be announced during the first week of the school term.

Stay tuned!

16 fantastic entries received

Today the selection committe will meet to choose 3 entries to be considered for the inaugral AiR Project.
The final selection is expected by the end of next week.
Stay tuned.