THE ART OF LEARNING

Katie Barron’s residency turned artistic process into a hands-on learning experience

In a sunny corner of the Penquite Campus, artist Katie Barron’s studio became far more than a place to paint, it became a space where students explored new techniques, ideas, and creative confidence. As the 2025 Artist in Residence, Katie brought her studio into the life of the College, offering students a rare and enriching opportunity, to learn from a working artist, not through lectures, but through lived, daily practice.

“This was my first time inside a school,” Katie reflected. “It could be seen as a challenging environment. The students do pull you away from the canvas. But that’s the beauty of oils, they don’t dry quickly, so you can step away, chat with a student, and come back to it. It was always nice to get positive feedback, and working with the students was just awesome.”

The Artist in Residence program allows artists to share their expertise, process, and habits with students, bringing a working studio into the College. For aspiring creatives, this meant Katie wasn’t just a guest speaker, she was a mentor in residence. Students could observe her in real time, ask questions mid brushstroke, and see how artistic ideas evolve and adapt.

A key focus of Katie’s residency was demystifying the early stages of art making, particularly the use of lighting and photographic references, essential steps in the creative process. “I had the chance to walk students through everything. From lighting the scene and capturing a strong image to using that photo as the base for a painting,” she said. Students applied these lessons directly to their own works, developing critical skills to assist in their TCE Visual Art folio development.

Katie’s open-door studio was also visited by Middle School students, who dropped in for informal conversations and visual inspiration. “Even just seeing a painting evolve over days sparked their curiosity,” Katie notes. “They asked questions about colour choices, techniques, and made connections to their own projects.”

Katie’s exhibition, Life is What You Bake It, held in the College’s s.p.a.c.e. Gallery, became a shared artistic milestone. Inspired by the nostalgic charm of the Australian Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake Book, the theme resonated with students. TCE artists explored their own interpretations – memories of birthdays, family rituals, and the creative whimsy of childhood, all exhibited alongside Katie’s works. One particularly unique collaboration came from the Year 9 Pastry Chef class. Students baked cakes inspired by Katie’s subjects, which were then photographed and transformed into paintings, blending culinary art with visual storytelling in a wonderfully interdisciplinary learning moment.

For students especially drawn to painting, Katie’s insights into oil techniques added another layer of depth. “It was great to introduce them to oils and the patience it requires,” she said. “Some students were really drawn to it. It opened a new door.” The Artist in Residence program is just one of many ways Scotch Oakburn cultivates meaningful, hands-on learning. Through mentorship, observation, and shared creative practice, students learned that great art isn’t just talent – it’s lighting, layers, and the courage to keep going. As Katie puts it: “It’s process, it’s persistence, and it’s joy in the making.”