Young Indigenous Printmakers

Students from Kirwan State High School with artist mentors Margaret Robertson, Martina Ah Sam and the class teacher Kerrie Everett, 2021.

Young Indigenous Printmakers is a collaborative outreach project run in partnership between Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts and Townsville City Galleries. The free education program gives senior Indigenous high school students the opportunity to learn and experience lino carving, printing and editioning, and gain exhibition experience. The program seeks to engage, foster and promote artistic development. Schools are invited to participate in a two-day intensive printmaking workshop – the first held at the school with the students, a printmaking expert and an Indigenous artist. The artists respectively introduce printmaking and explore the students’ Indigenous Culture/s and identity. The students develop stories and imagery that is translated into a linocut carving. The second day is spent downstairs at Umbrella in The Studio with the artists to print their linocuts. The students’ prints are subsequently exhibited in Umbrella’s gallery or at Townsville City Galleries once a semester.

To have your students participate in the program, please contact [email protected] or phone 07 4772 7109 or read more about Umbrella’s full education program here.

Community Education Councillor, Natalie Howard from William Ross State High School previously wrote:
“William Ross Indigenous Students from years 9, 10 and 11 were given the opportunity to participate in this beneficial program which has been developed to encourage Indigenous students to preserve and yarn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture through print making. The structure of the program allowed students the opportunity to be engaged with Artist, Aunty Gail Mabo and learn in-depth of the importance of acknowledging the effects of relaying one’s story. For many students this was and insightful lesson that reinforced the importance of their obligation to provide responsibility to preserving our yarning and interpretation of our culture. A visit to the Umbrella Studio encouraged the students to gain knowledge from professional Artists of how to maintain and sustain Artwork. This program has provided camaraderie between students from the different year levels and formed a close knit group of Indigenous students that are proud of the prospect of displaying their artwork to the community. It was a delight to be involved with such a well organised and culturally inclusive educational program.”