Aidan Curtis
THE Mount Gambier High School Art Crawl is returning for its second year to showcase student artwork in local businesses.
Year 10 students have been brushing up on their skills ahead of the Art Crawl to put their best works on display around Mount Gambier/Berrin.
MGHS visual arts teacher Rebecca Johnson said students have been creating art to “fit the vibe” of different locations using their own individual art styles and strengths.
“I originally gave the kids a bit of a rundown of what they could do, I showed them some examples from last year and they’ve blown me away with what they’ve created,” Ms Johnson said.
“I know one student has done a cultural piece from her background, other students have taken things they really like, inspiration from other artists.
“What they’ve been able to create has just shocked me.”
Ms Johnson said one of the main challenges she has faced in being involved in the Art Crawl has been feeling jealous of how much fun the students seem to be having creating art.
“I get really jealous of the kids because they get to have fun and create and it doesn’t have to be a set style or them, it’s just what they want to create,” she said.
“I help a little bit depending on the student, but most of the time they grab [the canvas] and they go and I get to sit and watch them do it.
“I see them doing it and I just want to do it too.”
Businesses including Bricks and Mortar, Little Blue Wren, Metro and Confession have put their hands up to display the student works, and Ms Johnson said their support was invaluable to the Art Crawl.
“All the businesses have been so friendly and so helpful,” she said.
“They don’t care if they get more business from it, they’re just there to support the kids, which is really great to see.”
Art students Hannah and Kimjurin said being part of the Art Crawl was a great experience.
“There are so many artworks that many other students have worked hard on that I am sure everyone would love to see,” Kimjurin said.
“My artwork was designed to be bright and colourful to suit the Treehouse Play Café location,” Hannah said.
Other locations supporting the Art Crawl include Kaboom, Copenhagen, Mount Gambier Library, Natural Born Grillers, Mount Gambier RSL and Treehouse Play Café.
The Art Crawl will officially launch with an opening night at Metro from 4pm on Friday, May 26, with works being displayed around Mount Gambier / Berrin until Sunday, June 4.