General News
7 April, 2023
New focus on nature in art
Adelle Rohrsheim coordinated a series of art workshops in Dimboola this week, hosted by Grampian Arts. The workshops, attended by Braemar College students, focused on incorporating nature-sourced painting tools to create awareness of the environment...
Adelle Rohrsheim coordinated a series of art workshops in Dimboola this week, hosted by Grampian Arts.
The workshops, attended by Braemar College students, focused on incorporating nature-sourced painting tools to create awareness of the environment in the students.
Tutor Stacey Rees demonstrated the use of natural-material brushes to 20 students gathered in the Star Theatre.
The brushes, constructed of natural leaves and reeds, allow for a broad stroke that not only encourages freedom in the students’ work but opens the artists up to new ways of expression.
“It also makes them aware of nature,” Ms Rohrsheim said.
“Next time they’re walking in the bush, they’ll think more carefully about the plants they casually step on.”
Simultaneously, in the adjacent RSL Hall, another group of Braemar students, led by tutor Ron Penrose, was experiencing nature in the form of inspiration.
“These students spent the morning at Pink Lake then returned here to create handmade prints of their experience,” Ms Rohrsheim said.
“In the Grampian Arts programs we often include physical activities such as mountain bike riding in our art workshops.
“In that way the experience involves the whole student, physically and mentally.”
The print workshop utilises a hand-operated printer that requires winding.
“I’m learning the technique myself,” Mr Penrose said.
“I’m a better teacher today than I was yesterday.”
Mr Penrose added that he found the Braemar students’ work very impressive and their manners superb.
Several stunning abstract expressionist prints were produced by students during the session.
Grampian Arts began as a non-profit fire recovery project in 2008, designed to bring tourists back to the Grampians following the 2007 bushfires.
The organisation has evolved into a highly sought-after art workshop program and now runs three annual workshops, including the original one out of Halls Gap.