On Thursday, 21 August, our Year 12 General Art students and Year 11 Certificate II Visual Art students embarked on an enriching excursion to the Town Hall, thanks to the generous support of the City of Albany Arts and Culture team, who kindly provided transport for the day.

The focus of the visit was the Antipodean Manifesto exhibition, showcasing a compelling selection of paintings, drawings, prints, and ceramics by the seven artists who formed the Antipodean group in Melbourne in 1959. Curated from The State Art Collection, the exhibition explores the group's formation and aspirations, placing their work within the broader social and political landscape of late 1950s Australia.

Our day began with a walking tour of the town centre’s vibrant street art, where students engaged in discussions around public art and its role in fostering community connection. We then made our way to the Town Hall, where we were warmly welcomed by Nat Rad and Indra from the City of Albany Arts and Culture team. They provided valuable insights into the exhibition’s development, including the logistics of touring such a collection and the specific lighting and climate controls required to preserve delicate works on paper.

Students had time to explore the exhibition and engage in thoughtful discussions before selecting a piece to sketch—an approach reminiscent of how apprentice artists once honed their skills by studying and replicating the works of their masters.

With sketchbooks filled, we turned our attention to analysing larger works by Charles Blackman and Robert Dickerson. Students applied their understanding of the elements and principles of art, while also considering the social, cultural, and historical contexts in which these pieces were created. Seeing these significant works in person was a powerful and memorable experience.

After a quick lunch in the town square, students continued sketching in preparation for upcoming units. Back at school, we wrapped up the day with a final display and critique session, allowing everyone to reflect on and share their creative responses.

A heartfelt thank you to our students for their enthusiastic participation and thoughtful engagement throughout the day. We’ve received wonderful feedback on how respectfully and insightfully you approached each activity. Special thanks to Ms Goodwin for handling the bulk of the excursion paperwork, and to the City of Albany for making this opportunity possible by providing transport and access to such an inspiring collection.