Small Schools' Art Expo - The Northern Rivers Echo www.echonews.com

Issue 736

Primary Colours


'Monster' by year 2 student Kane Cordin from Numulgi Public School.	'Hand of friendship' by year 6 student Hayley Mercer from Dunoon Public School.

More than 10 local primary public schools have combined their talents to create a Small Schools Art Expo, now on show at Caddies.

The refreshingly uncomplicated and colourful exhibition was the brainchild of local creative arts teacher, Cathy McEwen, who teaches at various primary schools in the region.

After seeing many exhibitions around the local area Cathy realised all of them were by adults or high school students, and she was inspired to create an exhibition showing off the skills of younger artists.

'I just loves kids art so much - it's so inventive and unstained, it's just comes out naturally,' Cathy said.

'Adults really intellectualise their artworks where as kids just do it, and that's really refreshing. Small schools in the Northern Rivers really shine in the art field and I think the quality of the artworks really reflects the commitment of the teachers, who are really creative and direct the children well.


'Untitled' by year 6 student Tristan Goodluck from Jiggi Public School.	'Monet and waterlilies' by year 3 student Riley Willis from Goolmangar Public School.

'We chose Caddies as the venue for the expo as it's a very public place and it attracts all walks of life. So far the feedback has been fantastic and I'd really like to make the expo an annual event.'

Each school has submitted between four and 20 pieces of artworks, and there is also a selection of painted gourds and decorated masks.

Public primary schools included in the expo are Goolmangar, Jiggi, Corndale, Whian Whian, Eureka, Pearces Creek, Dunoon, The Channon, Tuntable Creek, Goonengerry, Upper Coopers Creek and Numulgi.

The Small Schools Art Expo is on show until Thursday, September 27.