Frog mosaic Lilydale Primary school
Visual stories with unlimited creative possibilities, Mandalas have fascinated mankind through the centuries.
Primary school children readily take to expressing themselves using the shapes, images and colours of Mandalas.
Karen offers four Mandala programs for schools, three that focus on raising awareness (ie. Cultural Awareness, Self Awareness and Environment Awareness) and the other on enhancing the school grounds.
Mosaics created by the students of Kingspark Primary School.
The wave of life is a mosaic that represents the journey of life - the ups and downs and how we are swept along in the ebb and flow. Under the surface we discover different aspects of life, things that we had been unaware of but can enrich our experiences.
Emperor Gum Caterpillar by students of Westgarth Primary.
Represents the metamorphosis - the process that brings us from childhood into adults.
Cultural Awareness Mandala program
Tibetan Sand Mandalas.
American Indian Sand Mandalas.
Exploring the concepts and uses of these Mandalas and drawing parallels between them.
Creating Mandalas that are specific to our culture.
Enactment of Mandala ritual/creation.
Self Awareness Mandala program
What makes me unique?
What links me with others - family, friends, culture, environment?
Who am I?
Environment Awareness Mandala program
What are the creatures around us?
What influences are in our surrounding world eg.seasons, weather?
Where do we live?
What cycles do we experience?
What is 'our world'?
School-Ground Enhancement Mandalas
Garden Mandalas.
Structural Mandalas.
Tile and ceramic Mandalas.
Mandala Whirlpool & Frog mosaic Lilydale Primary school
Artist in Residence
Working as a local artist in residence I aim to enhance the profile of the Arts within your school and the wider community by welding a number of cross-curriculur activities, showing that Art (visual and performing) is an integral part of our community.
I would demonstrate the methodical approach to creating Mandalas and explain that this art form has far reaching connotations - it is more than just a pretty picture or an interesting design.
Objectives for a Mandala project:
To enhance the status of the Arts within the school and surrounding community by introducing this fascinating art form - its history and application today.
To explore the different mediums and modes of Mandala expression.
To provide quality art experiences for students, parents, teachers and the wider community.
To highlights art as a career, teaching the aspects and qualities of such via the artist and teachers.
To teach introspection and self-awareness through art expression and engender a sense of wellbeing.
To enrich cultural awareness and understanding.
To enable students to host and organise an art exhibtion.
To improve school grounds by producing features such as Mandala gardens, Mandala mosaics and ceramic Mandala inlays.
Curriculum enrichment in Art, English, English Literature, Psychology, Music, Drama, Computer studies and S.O.S.E.
Mandala projects would be aimed at different sections of the school and could encompass junior school years through to year 12 in a variety of subjects.
Culmination of Mandala projects involves a number of displays of student's works. These could include digital computer displays, visual arts, Power Point slide images, drama and movement/dance accompanied by music choreographed specifically for Mandala art form. The possibilities with this fascinating art form are endless.
To have me as an Artist in Residence, the costs are $500 per day (Inc GST) plus materials.
View my work with Lilydale High School or contact the school.
