This unique gallery program for high ability learners program explores ideas about Country, seasons and storytelling through First Nations art, including a workshop with Wadawurrung woman and multidisciplinary visual artist, Dr Deanne Gilson. Grounded in Indigenous knowledge, the program encourages you to think about place, time and cultural connection through looking, discussing and creating.
In the morning, you’ll explore First Nations art and design in the Gallery with NGV educators, discussing how artists use materials, colour, surface and texture in different ways to share stories and knowledge about Country. Through guided discussion and short drawing activities, you’ll build your visual thinking skills, and gain creative inspiration, as you also learn about Indigenous seasonal calendars and the meanings found in natural cycles.
In the afternoon, you’ll work with Dr Deanne Gilson in the NGV art studios to explore ideas connected to night-time, pollination and ecological balance. Using natural ochres, charcoal and mixed media, you’ll have a rare, hands-on opportunity to work with earth pigments. Deanne will share her contemporary art practice and guide you in experimenting with contrast, scale and symbolism, showing how traditional materials can be used in new ways today. Through layering, tone and expressive mark-making, you’ll create a unique artwork of your own that explores darkness and light, movement and connection.
Dr Deanne Gilson is a Wadawurrung woman of Aboriginal and Australian/English descent with an art practice spanning nearly forty years. After spending her early childhood in Melbourne, Gilson relocated to her ancestral Country around Ballarat at seven years old, where she nurtured a deep appreciation for Indigenous plants, trees and flowers, many of which feature prominently in her work today. Gilson recently completed a PhD at Deakin University, looking at the objectification of Aboriginal women by the male colonial gaze. She has exhibited extensively around Australia.
NGV Creativity Club is a series of targeted masterclasses for high achieving students in Years 4–10. Offered during school holidays at the NGV the programs will be led by industry professionals including visual artists, writers and designers. These targeted programs will give students access to opportunities to develop technical skills and extend their creative talents beyond the classroom.
NGV Creativity Club is funded by the Department of Education as part of the Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series. The masterclasses are offered exclusively to Victorian Government School students who are achieving at least one year above their expected level in the relevant subject area.
Information for parents and guardians
- Once booked, a parent or guardian will be required to complete an additional registration form. This form will be sent by email.
- NGV Creativity Club programs are supervised by NGV Learn staff so parents are not required to attend the session, unless acting as a companion with a valid government issued Companion Card.
- Please ensure students bring a packed lunch, snacks, and water bottle.
- Parents and carers may be eligible to receive assistance with transport costs if they will be travelling from outside the Metropolitan Melbourne train network..
