Snowy Mountains Grammar School’s inaugural Artist in Residence program has provided students with a unique opportunity to learn alongside a practising artist while reinforcing the School’s commitment to the arts as an essential part of a well-rounded education.
South Coast artist Penny Craig spent a week immersed in the School community, working with students from Years 7 to 12 through a series of workshops designed to encourage creativity, experimentation and self-expression.
Penny’s artistic practice is grounded in process art, with a strong environmental focus that invites participants to explore materials, ideas and expression without the pressure of producing a finished outcome.
“Process art allows students to feel comfortable experimenting and doing things they wouldn’t usually do,” Penny said.
Across the residency, students participated in a range of creative experiences including vibrant Nicho box storytelling, plein air landscape painting and collaborative printmaking. Drawing inspiration from the natural environment surrounding the School, students were encouraged to step beyond the traditional classroom and engage directly with the landscape as part of their creative process.
The program challenged students to think differently, embrace uncertainty and explore new ways of making and creating. Senior students pushed boundaries through experimentation, creating prints and zines using recycled materials and unconventional techniques. The impact was immediate.
One student reflected, “There is a lot more beauty within ourselves than we initially see.”
The residency also extended beyond students, with a community printmaking workshop inviting parents and staff to engage directly in the creative process and experience the value of artistic exploration firsthand.
Head of Faculty – Creative Arts Scott Frize said the residency reflected the School’s belief that creativity plays a vital role in developing confident, capable and curious young people.
“At Snowy Mountains Grammar School, we want students to be challenged not only academically, but creatively. Programs like this provide opportunities for students to explore new perspectives, take risks and develop confidence in their own ideas and abilities.”
“The arts have an important place in the life of our School. Whether students pursue creative pathways professionally or simply develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts, these experiences help shape well-rounded individuals who can think critically, communicate effectively and engage with the world around them.”
As the first Artist in Residence program at Snowy Mountains Grammar School, the initiative marks an exciting step in the continued growth of the arts and creative opportunities available to students.
More than a single program, it signals a clear commitment to ensuring creativity, innovation and artistic expression remain an important part of the educational experience at Snowy Mountains Grammar School.
