The Year 9 Visual Arts Discovery class had some very special visitors, three gorgeous canine models who were more than happy to strike a pose. Chantelle Hartney, an experienced dog trainer from Yentrah Versatile Dogs, brought along her talented trio: Phoenix, Spritz and Shadow.

The dogs arrived full of excitement, eager to explore the art room with plenty of sniffing and tail wagging. Once they settled, they relaxed into a range of natural poses, giving students the perfect opportunity to sketch them in preparation for an upcoming sculpture project.

The class embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. Equipped with a variety of drawing materials, students were encouraged to gather as much visual information as possible using the drawing techniques they had been developing. Their focus and curiosity were wonderful to see.

Throughout the session, students learned about each dog’s unique qualities. Phoenix, a Border Collie–Siberian Husky mix, is a champion in agility and jumping. Spritz, a young Siberian Husky, also competes in agility and conformation. Shadow surprised many with her ancestry; she is almost 70% Alpine Dingo. Chantelle generously answered questions and shared fascinating insights into the traits, abilities and behaviours of different dog breeds and dingoes.

It was a memorable and engaging experience for everyone involved, blending creativity, observation and an appreciation for the animals who inspired the students’ artwork.