BMG 2020 Grammarian Issue 4

14 WOODLEA MOSAIC MURAL At the beginning of 2020, a mosaic mural involving students at Woodlea was designed to enhance the concrete retaining walls of the garden beds - then the first COVID-19 lockdown kicked in. To keep the project ‘alive’, a small group of Art staff decided to start production, making and glazing tiles for inclusion in the project. Then came the second COVID-19 lockdown cancelling out any further involvement on the part of the Art staff. Rather than put the project on hold, Lou Callow, our Artist in Residence, chose to continue the production alone, with the intention of providing a colourful surprise for Woodlea students when they eventually returned. The theme for the mural is the Australian Sea and Landscapes, with native birds and animals in their habitats visible throughout the work. Landmarks such as the You Yangs and Uluru are featured, along with the ‘Copeland Ranges’, the ‘Hunter River’, and ‘Lake Symes’ named in acknowledgement of the Woodlea management team. Students are encouraged to also find places to name after their teachers. This extensive project measuring 32 metres long involved making and glazing hand-made tiles, assembling sections on fibreglass matting off-site, installing, grouting, and finally painting the various moods of the sky. After manymonths of production, the project was completed during the week that our students finally returned in Term 4. The positive, joyful response from students was well worth the effort. The mosaic project has become a symbolic message of hope and renewal, encouraging the BMG Woodlea community to stay connected to each other and highlighting the beauty of the natural world, even in the most challenging of times. We sincerely thank the Art team and, in particular, Lou Callow, for the amazing artwork that has brightened the landscape and spirit of the Woodlea campus. – Mrs Sarah Hunter, Deputy Head of Woodlea Campus