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 "
Monday
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.”
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.”
Friday
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.
Wednesday
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!
Tuesday
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.
The final selection is expected by the end of next week.
Stay tuned.
Wednesday
P1010031
P1010031
Originally uploaded by bondipublic.
It's was a warm sultry night when John Pilger returned to his former primary
school to launch the AiR scheme. He was met at the gate by a former
classmate who had heard about the event and wanted to meet again for the
first time since they were boys. He too had gone into journalism as it
turned out had others from that era of the school when Bondi wasn't such a
glamorous place.
It was a small moment which summed up a big evening. The special links of
your first school and the influence you may never appreciate until much
later. The sense of possibility and coming together and above all joy.
They were all feelings shared by the 60 or so who gathered in the AiR studio
for the formalities very well fed and watered thanks to generous donations
and willing volunteers.
Committee member Jacqui Feeney explained how it all worked and invited
artists to apply. Principal Tralie McMain gave a potted history of the
school and introduced the choir. They charmed the crowd and especially John
Pilger with two songs including Daydream Believer.
Sue Midgley spoke of the need for well funded public education and what it
could produce and told how artist John Hughes had worked with many of the
BPS pupils to produce an animation. The short film called Monsters ( pls
check for me) was enthusiastically received.
It was then John Pilger's turn and he said in all simple honesty how he
wished he had been able to go to the school as it was now and not the rather
harderless caring place it had been in the past.
He spoke of Bondi and the need to celebrate the struggles of everyday people
which were often overlooked by history but which in many ways were typified
by the journey of his old school.
In a moving finale Tralie presented him with the very first of the school's
new medals for merit. It read: to John for all your achievements since you
have left us. Well Done. Bondi Public School.
It was a fitting start to a scheme which we hope will earn its own stripes
and in celebrating the past of one pupil will mark a future way of many
others.
Thursday
Bondi FM
This morning with Bondi FM's Dale Stevens
Bondi Public School Artist in Residence Committee members
Sue Midgley and Wilma Sherliker and their children Gigi and Tasman
did a half hour segment with Dale and introduced the programme
into the Bondi community. We have already rec'd phone calls from
Bondi artists who listened in.
As part of the lead up to our Press and Media launch on the 29th
November, we were amazed again at the positive feedback we have
had talking about this exciting initiative.
We now have 3 ex students attending the launch,
John Pilger, author, film and documentary maker(www.pilger.carlton.com)
Mrs Margaret Whitlam who needs no introduction
Mr Peter Moscatt, Mayor of Waverley
Bondi Public School Artist in Residence Committee members
Sue Midgley and Wilma Sherliker and their children Gigi and Tasman
did a half hour segment with Dale and introduced the programme
into the Bondi community. We have already rec'd phone calls from
Bondi artists who listened in.
As part of the lead up to our Press and Media launch on the 29th
November, we were amazed again at the positive feedback we have
had talking about this exciting initiative.
We now have 3 ex students attending the launch,
John Pilger, author, film and documentary maker(www.pilger.carlton.com)
Mrs Margaret Whitlam who needs no introduction
Mr Peter Moscatt, Mayor of Waverley
Wednesday
Whats on offer.
WHAT’S ON OFFER? Free non-residential studio space is available for a minimum six months or two school terms (with the potential to extend for a further six months) and an allowance of $2000. The Studio Space comprises the entire floor of a school building (approx 100 sq metres) featuring views over the Bondi district including Bondi Beach. The provision of the Studio Space is provided in return for the artist’s engagement with the students and teachers of Bondi Public School. There is no expectation that the artist should be a qualified teacher. The terms of the arrangement are designed to be flexible.
Monday
Awaiting take off
The AiR project is approaching take-off.
WHAT IS AiR?
AiR is a new Artist in Residency program located within the grounds of Bondi Public School. It creates the opportunity in Sydney for a practising professional artist to work with young people (5-12 years) at a heritage public school in Bondi.
WHAT'S ON OFFER?
Free non-residential studio space is available for a minimum six (6) months or two school term residency with the potential to extend for a further six month term.
The Studio Space comprises an entire floor of a heritage sandstone building (approx 90 sq metres) featuring views over the Bondi district towards, and including, Bondi Beach.
The provision of the Studio Space is expected to be in return for artist engagement with the students and teachers of Bondi Public School.
WHAT IS AiR?
AiR is a new Artist in Residency program located within the grounds of Bondi Public School. It creates the opportunity in Sydney for a practising professional artist to work with young people (5-12 years) at a heritage public school in Bondi.
WHAT'S ON OFFER?
Free non-residential studio space is available for a minimum six (6) months or two school term residency with the potential to extend for a further six month term.
The Studio Space comprises an entire floor of a heritage sandstone building (approx 90 sq metres) featuring views over the Bondi district towards, and including, Bondi Beach.
The provision of the Studio Space is expected to be in return for artist engagement with the students and teachers of Bondi Public School.
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