Students at the smART Holidays workshop held from 26 to 30 June unleashed their inner artist in classes led by internationally recognised, Wooloowin based digital photographer Jane Long.
At the unique week long program run by St Margaret's Anglican Girls School, 15 girls aged 10 to 13 years from St Margaret's and neighbouring schools learnt the art of incorporating photography and photo manipulation to produce expressive mixed media representations with a blurred line between reality and fantasy.
St Margaret's Head of Year 12 Jenny Lishman said the smART Holidays program, now in its sixth year, is a creative outlet for the children.
"St Margaret's has a strong culture of art and smART Holidays provides a wonderful opportunity for students to become fully immersed in creative projects all day long without time constraints.
"A major goal of the program is to expose the girls to future career opportunities in the creative industries. Over the years, a number of successful role models including architects, interior designers, film makers and fine artists have led the workshops all of whom have carved out an established career in the arts," said Ms Lishman.
Alongside the major digital artwork, St Margaret's graduates taught the girls the techniques of Photoshop, photography, jewellery making, print making and painting.
"The program employs St Margaret's graduates to assist the students in mastering the various techniques. Each of the graduates, who themselves are studying Creative Industries at university, are responsible for teaching a specific workshop," said Ms Lishman.
It was on a tour of Europe Ms Lishman first discovered the work of artist Jane Long and she couldn't be more suprised when a Google search revealed Jane was not only based in Australia but in Queensland a few suburbs from the school.
Jane says her message to the girls is to think globally.
"I explain to the girls that recognition might not come locallly but from overseas. It's so important to have confidence in what they are doing and know there is someone out there who will resonate with their work.
"Just do what you love," said Jane.
St Margaret's Year 5 student Libby Timmins said she found smART Holidays really fun.
"It's really fun getting to work with friends and meet girls from other year levels.
"Working with Jane is very inspiring and I'm looking forward to creating my self portrait which will be dreamy with pastels and soft colours and a lot of nature," Libby said.