By BRIDGET COOK
MARNEBEK School students showed off their artistic flair at the school’s annual art show last month.
The budding young artists kicked off term three by showcasing the creative artworks they have been working on throughout the year with the help of art teachers Lynne Stroud and Anissa Diaz.
The exhibition included everything from sensory created artwork and clay models to iPad digital artwork, intrinsic ancient Egyptian masks, hand crafted teddy bears and even some bags that students had designed.
Art classes at the school, which caters to students with special needs, are highly valued because they benefit cognitive and physical development and build on the students’ sensory processing and integration.
Ms Stroud said the arts program helped develop the students’ fine motor abilities, strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, develops a sense of goal setting and nurtures social skills that are critical inside and outside the classroom.
She said the students loved showcasing their work, which they had been working hard on all year to create for the show.
“The students have really enjoyed using an array of materials, textures and resources to create each piece of work,” she said.
The school’s leading teacher Rhett Watts said the annual art show always had a positive and welcoming feel.
“It is always a great opportunity for parents and the community to see and experience the outstanding talent and work produced by the students across the school,” he said.
“One of the biggest highlights is the students across the school being able to see what other classes have been doing.
“Students often want to come and visit numerous times during the art show and enjoy sharing and talking about this with their friends.”
