Inspiration, Contour & Wirework
What a great start to Term 2 in Visual Art at North West College!
Over the past two weeks, students have explored a variety of media and creative techniques.
One of the tasks involved selecting a person or character who inspires them, then creating a visual response based on a quote from that person. This allowed students to reflect on people who are meaningful in their lives.
Some groups had a single session, while others had two and were able to go further—exploring wire sculpture using contour sketching techniques and insect references. Students created wire bug sculptures and decorated them with coloured beads, combining structural and decorative elements.
It’s been an engaging start to the term, with students showing thoughtful connections and strong creative energy.
Turning Sustainability into Art
Students explored the meaning of sustainability and used recycled materials to create unique covers for their art journals.
Coral Reef Ceramics and Animal Studies
Sketches moved into paint this week, with collage backgrounds taking shape. Coral reef bowls were glazed and finished with glass for the ocean. More pieces are firing.
Week 3 Crown of Thorns study
(From Week 3, shared now) We studied the Crown of Thorns starfish and reef loss, then designed and began clay bowls with coral and sea creatures.
Art Inspired by Coral Reef Conservation
After learning about the Crown of Thorns starfish and its impact on coral reefs, students began creating clay bowls featuring coral and sea life.
Bottle Top Art Turning Waste into Creativity (Part 1)
Students transform reclaimed bottle tops into unique art pieces while learning about recycling, upcycling, and environmental responsibility.
Mosaic Mirrors Workshop
Students designed and made mosaic mirrors, choosing colours, breaking tiles, gluing, grouting, polishing. Hands on skills and one of a kind pieces.
Mini Worlds in Progress
Students are constructing miniature worlds that reflect personal connections to land and sea, while building their confidence in composition, construction, and creative expression.
Collage, Imagination and Dreamwork
Collage with guest artist Naomi Azoulay, then mixed media. Students built papier-mâché mask pieces to paint their inner world.
Exploring Identity and Place Through Art – Term 1 Highlights
Through clay sculpture, watercolour, and kowhaiwhai design, students explored themes of identity and place linked to our school houses. These creative exercises encouraged personal expression and connection to local landscape and culture, while building confidence with new materials and techniques.
