Spotlight on Wellbeing | Creating Connections through Art Professional Learning for Teachers

Art is a powerful tool for fostering connections. Join us to explore how the visual arts and creativity can be woven into wellbeing practices to support both student learning and personal wellbeing. Begin the day with an inspiring artist talk and workshop led by Dr. Deanne Gilson, a proud Wadawurrung woman, multidisciplinary visual artist, and Blak designer. Hear about Deanne’s deep connection to Country and culture and her experiences using art as practice for wellbeing and healing. Then, in the hands-on workshop, engage in a reflective art making activity designed to promote positive wellbeing. In the afternoon, participate in discussions and art-based wellbeing activities with NGV educators in the Gallery, drawing inspiration from the NGV Collection. Finish the day with a presentation from a representative of the Department of Education and Training’s Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) team, who will discuss recent mental health reforms and answer questions about wellbeing in school communities.

This professional learning program is designed for teachers and educators across all year levels and subject areas, with activities that are easily adaptable to different classroom and learning environments.

All materials are supplied. Morning tea and lunch are included, please indicate dietary requirements when booking.

Teachers: $170
Teacher Members: $150

Learning Objectives 

• Discover how art can enhance emotional resilience and promote a sense of connection.
• Reflect on effective ways to embed art and design in teaching practices to support student wellbeing.
• Participate in collaborative art-based activities that can be transferred to the classroom environment to foster social and emotional skills in students.

AITSL Standards

• 1.1 Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students
• 1.3 Students with diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds
• 2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area
• 4.1 Support student participation
• 6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice

About the artist

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, including at the Koorie Heritage Trust, the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Melbourne Museum, White Night, and Melbourne Fashion Week. Her work is held in the collections of the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Shepparton Art Museum and The Koorie Heritage Trust, The National Gallery of Victoria, The National Wool Museum, Australian Catholic University, City of Wyndham, Manningham Art Gallery, Bundoora Homestead, Deakin University, Federation University, Monash University – RMIT, The Gordon, Trinity College, Ballarat Grammar, Maroondah Art Space, Shepparton Art Museum, Federation University and private collections in Hong Kong, England, Germany, New Zealand, Ireland and the United States.