For the past two years, Pine Rivers Special School has run an art show and auction to raise funds for the school’s chaplain, Tania Pattemore.
The annual fundraiser is held on the Wednesday night of Chappy Week – local artists, parents, students and community members gather for a barbeque as student and professional artwork is auctioned off.
“Every student, and many staff, produce artwork for the exhibition. Some students spend the first half of the year creating their artwork. Local artists and other community members also make donations,” Tania says.
“It’s primarily a silent auction, where the works are hung up with bidding sheets below, for people to bid on whatever they like. This year, one local artist, with the help of some students, produced a work on the night that went to a live auction.
“Our art teacher has a lot of great connections and had previously done art displays and shows, so her experience is incredible. It’s quite a professional-looking show, and is like walking through an art gallery.”
The art show is Pine Rivers Special School’s primary fundraiser, raising about $5,000 this year. “It’s the second year we’ve done it, and this year was bigger than the first. It’s a work in progress as we continue to develop the idea. We’re hoping to get more community involvement in the future.”
But Tania says the fundraising aspect is just a bonus – the real benefits come from seeing everyone in the school contribute and come together for a fun night of art and food. And also seeing the students feel proud when their work is displayed.
“There are so many people who come together to make this possible. The P&C runs the barbeque on the night, and many staff help with the preparations and set-up,” she says.
Although the fundraiser takes a lot of work to organise, Tania says it’s something that can be replicated.
“It’s definitely do-able, especially if you have some key people in your school who are keen to drive it. You really need to get the whole school on-board. At our school, it’s vital for teachers to encourage students to produce work, and to create their own pieces as well.”
Tania says other schools could consider gathering donated artwork from the community, rather than using student work. “But as a special school, we like to get the students involved and they get a kick out of seeing their work up on the wall. It’s all part of generating that school community spirit.”