Visual Arts Crew Exploring ACE Future Studios

ACE Future Studios is a South Australian program that provides fully-supported, Adelaide-based visual art studios to young Aboriginal students in Years 10–12. The program offers a one-week intensive studio experience, as well as ongoing mentoring and professional development throughout the year.

Students engage with leading First Nations artists, learn about Adelaide’s artistic community and discover various pathways to becoming an artist. This unique industry placement nurtures creativity and practical skills to encourage students to practice and expand their cultural knowledge in a safe environment. 

Aligned with the SACE Community Learning framework, the Future Studios program is a recognised Community Development program that allows students to earn ten Stage 1 SACE credits.

The following six PLHS students are participating this week: Makasha Betts-Horace, Jahleah Miller-Pickett, Ciara Calgaret, Zerah Coleman, Taylah David-Mabura and Kaleigha Carbine-Smith.

Day 1 included an introduction to the ACE gallery and studio spaces, group mind map activities, creative research and a textile workshop with Lara Tilbrook exploring sustainable and natural materials and practices in art.

On Day 2, students explored galleries and studios furthering their understanding of art communities including the Jam Factory (art, craft and design) viewing glass and ceramic works, the Nexus gallery exploring mark-making and functional design, Adelaide University’s Samstag Museum where students viewed the Yield Strength Biennial exhibition and an outstanding Japanese origami exhibition featuring intricate and large-scale paper forms. An informative and inspiring afternoon was spent at the Art Gallery of South Australia. Students discussed themes represented in the gallery spaces and participated in small group discussions about the impact of selected works. Students spent time sketching to record and document their interests and visual thinking.

Check out our updates of Days 3, 4 and 5 to come!

~ Ms. Wanda Jarvis (Art Teacher)