Spotlight On Success - July
Voices of the Wheatbelt Photography Project
Photography by Jess Hadlow, Year 9, Quairading District High School (photography courtesy of Community Arts Network WA)
In an exciting 'arts in education' project, coordinated by Community Arts Network WA (CAN WA), students from Western Australia's Wheatbelt communities were given the opportunity to have a voice and express themselves through photography.
With the aim to achieve community development and individual capacity building outcomes through the use of this artistic medium, Voices of the Wheatbelt also enabled students to experience greater understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people through the input of Aboriginal Elders and facilitators.
With the support of professional artists, photographers and CAN WA staff, school students participated in a number of workshops during Semester One, 2008 in Tammin, Kellerberrin, Quairading and Merredin.
Students learnt technical and artistic digital photography techniques as well as the importance of design, composition and lighting. Students were also encouraged to look beyond the image, understanding that capturing a great photo isn't necessarily about creating photographic perfection, but is about communicating emotions and feelings. Recognising and understanding the balance and interplay between these elements resulted in a number of dynamic and interesting photographs.
The workshops culminated in the exhibition of students' work at Quairading District High School, Tammin Primary School, Kellerberrin District High School, South Merredin Primary School and Merredin Senior High School during July and August 2008. Outstanding young photographers were recognised and awarded at a ceremony in each of the schools.
Voices of the Wheatbelt was facilitated by Community Arts Network WA and was funded by the Department of Families Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. CAN WA would like to thank all the participating schools and the students.
For further information on Voices of the Wheatbelt visit: www.canwa.com.au
Photograph by Christy Colbung, Year 9, Quairading District High School (Photograph courtesy of Community Arts
Network WA)
