Bondi art culture flourishing as school expands

Waverley Woollahra Art School in Bondi has announced a series of new classes and tutors for the incoming third term of the year, increasing the range of classes available and expanding classes for new students.

The school has been in operation since 1968 and, alongside newer arts events in Bondi such as Bondi Feast and Flickerfest, has played a significant role in Bondi’s development as an artistic hub in recent years.

“It’s a good resource for the community,” said the Chairperson of the Waverley Woollahra Arts School, Prue Cancian. “We have a lot of returning students and are a good quality art school.”

Part of the school’s expansion has centred on the move away from traditional painting and drawing, towards developing disciplines as wide ranging as street art and graphic design.

One such class is Richard Briggs’ ‘Streetscape Sketching’ classes, which will begin next term.

“The course will focus on drawing and sketching, especially urban sketching,” said Mr Briggs.

“I’d love to plant the seeds in students’ minds to practice drawing streets not only in Bondi, but in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst. I’d like to encourage students with ways of seeing urban environments.”

Mr Briggs, whose background is in architecture, was drawn to sense of community offered by the school and the local area. He had previously worked on Marrickville Council’s mural program.

“I like to draw what’s important to communities,” said Mr Briggs. “It’s about trying to capture that essence of place. It shouldn’t just be a piece of art but a means of starting a conversation.”

Robert Enemark has been a student at the school for ten years after falling in love with the discipline of printmaking.

“The teaching drew me there,” said Mr Enemark. “But we could do with more funds.”

The school survives off grants and subsidies from Waverley and Woollahra councils, and Mr Enemark thinks councils could do more for the school and the local arts scene.

“Councils could offer more support. A better equipped art school will attract more pupils,” Mr Enemark said.

Waverly Mayor Sally Betts endorsed the school on Thursday, July 3^rd when she handed out this year’s Waverly Art Prize at the site.

Mr Briggs agrees that more could be done to grow Bondi’s art culture.

“Marrickville Council are really encouraging art projects to enliven the streets. It would be nice if Waverley council tried something similar,” he said.

According to Mr Briggs, councils have a crucial role to play in encouraging and building local artistic spaces.

“Art certainly has a place in the public realm,” said Mr Briggs. “There are a lot of artists out there who just need an opportunity.”