Each year at Williamstown High school (Bayview street campus) we select a theme to follow and inspire the students in their art making.

Students work within this theme on paper mache sculptures, paintings, drawings and Lino prints. Last year, 2013, our theme was ‘Incredible Botanical’. Students in year 7, 8 and 9 made a range of different art works inspired by plant life, from paper mache plants to Van Gogh inspired Sunflowers.

Students in years 8 and 9 were also lucky enough to attend the NGV’s Young Researchers program that focused in on Monet’s Garden. They responded to the exhibition in a range of different mediums. From delicately constructed orchids to paintings inspired by water lilies.

Each year all this work features in our annual Exhibition.

This has been a fantastic platform to show case our junior art program. Students and parents, but particularly students, really enjoy exploring the exhibition themes each year and discovering what different year levels have been working on throughout the year. It is really exciting to see students engaging with and commenting on their own and other student’s artworks.

Other themes that have been explored are: Creatures of the Deep, Mythical Creatures, The Circus, Things with Wings and this year’s theme is The Flavours and Colours of Asia.

‘Themes in Art’ helps to engage students in the various set learning activities and gives the annual Art Exhibition a really different look from year to year.