• Edgewater Primary School welcomes Roeburne-based artist and educator
• School students to collaborate on art projects with Senior Yindjibarndi woman, Allery Sandy

It was all hands on deck this morning at Edgewater Primary School’s art room. Special guest, Allery Sandy had pre-painted a large canvas, to which Year 3 students added traditional dot painting over the background colours.

Over the next two days, Years 3 to 6 students will continue building up the painting that depicts the Dampier Archipelago off Western Australia’s north-west coast. This year’s NAIDOC theme of Heal Country! is reflected in the choice of colours for the painting.

The finished piece, along with a second collaborative artwork will be displayed in the school.

In attendance to help were: Patricia Floyd–Manager of the Yinjaa Barni Art centre in Roebourne where Allery is a member; Nicole Casley–parent, Whadjuk woman and consultant to the school’s Reconciliation Action Plan committee; and Laura Dale–parent and primary school Visual Arts Teacher.

Edgewater Primary School has a track record of embracing Aboriginal culture. School buildings have new identification signs with Nyoongar animal names. Over 800 plants native to the Swan Coastal Plain have been planted on school grounds in The Living Edge project, aimed at healing the land and children, while providing habitat for wildlife.

Comments attributed to Member for Joondalup Emily Hamilton MLA:

“It’s wonderful to see students engaging collaboratively, while learning about Western Australian Aboriginal art.

Comments attributed to Edgewater Primary School Associate Principal Brian Baily:

“Our school is so fortunate to have someone of Allery’s calibre for the kids to learn from.”