An exhibition produced by local public school students will open at Orange Regional Museum on Saturday featuring a 'herd' of more than 2500 collage animals.
Animal Kin is a collaboration between Orange Regional Museum, Orange Regional Gallery and the SPARKE network of local public primary schools.
Now in its fifth year, the SPARKE program invites local students to participate in the cultural life of the city by creating a large-scale art installation and participating in associated learning programs.
WORK IN PROGRESS: The exhibition comes together.
This year's in-school creative and environmental education project asked children to think about their relationships with animals of all sorts, whether it be their pets, favourite animals, native fauna or culturally important species.
Orange City Council Services Policy Committee Chair, Cr Mel McDonell said the annual project was always enthusiastically embraced by the participants and this year was no different.
"Animals of all shapes and sizes are part of the family for many of us, especially children, and this exercise offers a fantastic insight into the young artists' imaginations," Cr McDonell said.
"The students love coming in and searching for their own artwork, each piece as wonderfully unique as the children themselves, and when they're all brought together in the one space it makes for an impressive display."
The schools involved in the project were Anson Street School, Blayney Public School, Bletchington Public School, Borenore Public School, Bowen Public School, Calare Public School, Glenroi Heights Public School, Millthorpe Public School, Molong Central School, Nashdale Public School, Orange Public School, Orange East Public School and Spring Terrace Public School.
Nashdale Public School Principal and SPARKE Network Coordinator Kylie Toberty said she was thrilled to see every child unleash their artistic abilities.
"The students had so much fun, the hardest part for them was deciding which animal to choose for their collage, and the results were very wide and varied," she said.
In addition to 'the herd', the exhibition also features a video of interviews with participating students, a reading corner, drawing space and profiles of nine locals who have different kinds of relationships with animals.
Profiles include Uncle Neil Ingram, Wiradjuri elder, sharing information about his totem animal relationships; snake catcher Jake Hansen and artist and horse lover Jaq Davies, with beautiful portrait photographs taken by local photographer Pip Farquharson.
The exhibition will be officially opened at 6pm for 6.15pm on Friday 2 August. Book free tickets via eventbrite here.
Animal Kin will be displayed at Orange Regional Museum from 3 August - 20 October 2024.
