Pictures About Me is an exhibition by students from Skipton Primary School. The Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) has developed a pilot arts program for the children to engage within their class time. This exhibition is the outcome.

Foto Biennale education officer Amelia James and volunteer photographer Rebecca Nicolandos ran a workshop day for the whole school in Term 3, introducing students to photography skills.

These were later extended in the classroom by teacher and practising artist Georgie Green.

A special dress-up day followed. Students were invited to take photos of each other. Walking tours around the town provided an opportunity for children to photograph their local environment, including landscapes, buildings, plants and textures. 

The project culminated in students combining their images to create cleverly collaged dioramas of themselves within their community.

“It’s been wonderful to see what the students have created, to educate through art, promote visual literacy and see their sense of self and self confidence grow,” said Ms James.

Pictures About Me will be the first exhibition in the BIFB’s education space at the new National Centre for Photography. 

“It is very important for the students to be able to exhibit their work to friends, family and the entire community,  when our building is fully renovated this can happen on a regular basis,” Fiona Sweet, creative director of the BIFB said. 

“Our education program will continue growing with the development of the National Centre for Photography.”

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