Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre

Wonder, Engage, Inspire

Telephone02 9457 8245

Emailgibberagon-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Art - Nature's Canvas

Stage 4 and 5 Students

Bush Canvas Art Day Experience for Art Teachers and their classes

Overview

Nature's Canvas Art Class Day Experience excursion is a visual arts day program for students in Years 7-10, especially those considering further studies in visual arts. Students along with their teacher, will work with art teacher Tullia Cilia to observe, interpret and respond to their immediate environment at Ku-ring-gai National Park, Bobbin Head. 

Tullia is an accomplished art teacher who has worked with many students and shares her knowledge and enthusiasm of art and nature through her practise. Students will be encouraged to fully immerse themselves in the natural world and use nature as their source of inspiration.


Excursion location

This program is offered at the following location. Click on the image to find out more.


Excursion Information

Introductory drawing challenges

The day commences with the students participating in a series of icebreaking drawing activities and warm-up sketches. These drawings will provide a strong base for the artworks that students will produce as the day progresses. Students will be required to assemble an art kit for their bush walk and begin the construction of an artist book.

Bush walk

During the walk, the students will explore parts of the park and different viewpoints to inspire their artworks.  This will also provide them with an opportunity to consider what they value aesthetically in this area. There will be the opportunity to take photographs and record sketches to use later in their artist’s book.

Cultural sites visit

The students will visit and learn about important cultural and historical sites, including an Aboriginal engraving site to learn about the cultural value of the landscape and landforms to the traditional owners of the area.

Field sketch

The students will visit a lookout with views over the landscape. There they will be required to immerse themselves in nature and complete an artistic sketch to identify the landforms and describe the landscape that shapes this area.

Bush Studio activities

The students will return to the studio to use a range of mixed media to create experimental artworks inspired by their immersion in nature. Students will use aspects of the natural world as a source of ideas, concepts and subject matter for their artmaking.

Mini art exhibition of student artworks in progress

Students will set up a mini exhibition of their artworks in progress for their parents and carers. Students will identify the intention, audience and context for their mini exhibition and display of artworks.

Time

Activity
9.00am

Arrival

Welcome to Gibberagong

Acknowledgement of Country

Orientation to the day

9.30am

Art kit assembly

Prelimiinary artist book construction

10.00am

Bushwalk and art immersion

10.30am Morning Tea (from home)
10.50am Bushwalk and art immersion cont.
12.30pm Lunch (from home)
1.10pm Bush Studio activities inc. mixed media, experiemental artworks
2.00pm Day concludes

Day excursion information

Download the program flyer

Excursion Location

The Gibberagong Building at Bobbin Head
Stage 4 and 5 students

Transport

Schools are required to organise transport for students to and from the location. 
Cost Including Specialist Art Teacher

2025 DoE schools

  • $750 (GST free) per class max 30 students per excursion - price includes specialist art teacher
  • $10.00 (GST free) per student art supplies 
  • $1.10  (GST free) per student National Park Entry
  • Optional: Artist In Residence prices start from $750 (GST free) to approx $928 (GST free) per day. Refer to the National Association for the Visual Arts: The Code of Visual Arts 

2025 Non-gov schools

  • $850 (GST free) per class max 30 students per excursion - price includes specialist art teacher
  • $20.00 (GST free) per student art supplies 
  • $1.10  (GST free) per student National Park Entry
  • Optional: Artist In Residence prices start from $750 (GST free) to approx $928 (GST free) per day. Refer to the National Association for the Visual Arts: The Code of Visual Arts 
Specialist Art Teacher Available Dates

20th March 2025

15th May 2025

12th June 2025

7th August 2025

11th September 2025

23rd October 2025

*Note: Specialist Art Teacher is available on Thursday's. Please contact GEEC to request an alternative date if required.

Self Guided Art Excursion

CAPA Teachers are welcome to hire the Gibberagong EEC Building and run their own art immersion program at Bobbin Head making use of the stunning open spaces in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. 

For available dates contact GEEC.

2025 Government schools

  • Building Hire Fees: $200 (GST free) per day max 30 students per day
  • National Park Entry: $1.10 (GST free) per student
  • Art Supplies: $20 per student (GST free) Sketch book, pencils, erasors,  graphite charcoal pencils
  • Optional: Artist In Residence prices start from $750 (GST free) to approx $928 (GST free) per day. Refer to the National Association for the Visual Arts: The Code of Visual Arts 

2025 Non-gov schools

  • Building Hire Fees: $300 (GST free) per day 
  • National Park Entry: $1.10 (GST free) per student
  • Art Supplies: $30 per student (GST free) Sketch book, pencils, erasors,  graphite charcoal pencils
  • Optional: Artist In Residence prices start from $750 (GST free) to approx $928 (GST free) per day. Refer to the National Association for the Visual Arts: The Code of Visual Arts 
What to bring An information package will be sent to the nominated teacher.
Teacher Support

If you would like additional support with a GEEC teacher please contact the centre.

More Information

Email: gibberagon-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Phone: 9457 8245