April 12, 2022
Pinjarra students explore Sculpture by the Sea virtually
Pinjarra Primary School students were not going to let COVID impact their opportunity to take part in this year’s Sculpture by the Sea Alcoa School Education Program - with the education program being adapted to an online offering.
Recently the Pinjarra Year 6 art students and teacher Robyn Willers safely enjoyed a virtual tour of the exhibition featuring artists Carolina Arsenii and Stephanie De Biasi.
The Alcoa School Education Program has been an integral part of the Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe exhibition since its inception 18 years ago.
Since 2005, the program has welcomed more than 32,000 students from Western Australia including many students from the communities where Alcoa operates. Each year the company invites about 14 schools from the Kwinana, Peel and Upper South West areas to take part.
After viewing the virtual tour of the exhibition, the students participated in an artist-led workshop recreating the sustainability and community focused sculpture Fossil.
The sculpture Fossil is constructed from recycled cat food cans that have been collected and donated by members of the community which have been threaded onto a metal armature.
Alcoa and Sculpture by the Sea educators supplied aluminium products along with lesson plans to teachers to help facilitate the workshops from afar.
Pinjarra teacher Robyn Willers said the program provided students with a unique opportunity to meet and work with a professional exhibiting artist and extend learning beyond the classroom.
“While we were unable to experience a firsthand view of the sculptures, students did maintain a personal connection with artists through digital learning. Carolina and Stephanie shared their story as they talked about the creative process making their sculpture Fossil,” Robyn said.
“It was a fun and valuable experience to participate in an online workshop where children used weaving to create their own sculpture.”
Alcoa Vice President Operations – Australia Michael Gollschewski praised Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe for adapting to the current situation facing Western Australia.
“During the uncertain times schools are facing, it is great to see this partnership adapt quickly to offer students opportunities to connect and engage with artists and the artistic process in a safe environment,” he said.
Founding CEO and Artistic Director of Sculpture by the Sea David Handley said his team moved quickly to ensure children could continue to connect and engage in the artistic process without having to leave their classroom.
“We took artists into classrooms across Western Australia to make sure as many school students as possible had the opportunity to meet artists exhibiting in Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe this year.”
To discover more visit Alcoa School Education Program
https://sculpturebythesea.com/cottesloe/education-program-overview/
ENDS
Media contact:
Alcoa: Corporate Affairs Advisor, Cheri Tiglias, cheri.tiglias@alcoa.com