I recently had the absolute pleasure of heading over to Adelaide to spend time at Woodcroft College, and what an unforgettable week it turned out to be.
From the moment I arrived, it was clear this was a school buzzing with creativity. I worked with the Year 4 students, delivering a series of spray painting and stencil workshops, alongside an artist talk where I shared insights into my creative journey, process, and passion for street art, and answered their many curious questions about life as an artist.
Colourful Creativity
Year 4 students designed their own name stencils, experimented with gradient spraying techniques, and explored layering using pre-made stencils and leaves. The energy in the space was electric, with curious minds, bold ideas, and a willingness to take creative risks.
Students described the experience as “very cool” and “colourful x 1000,” with many saying they “loved it.” It was clear they were not only engaged, but genuinely excited by the process.
It was amazing to see students step outside their comfort zones and really embrace experimentation. There’s something powerful about giving young people permission to explore, make mistakes, and discover their own style. As one student put it, “I don’t think I could do better,” a reflection not of doubt, but of pride in what they had created.
As art teacher Michelle Sutherland shared:
“The most valuable aspect of the residency was the authentic experience [Leah] provided for our Year 4 students. The stencil workshops were incredibly engaging… It was wonderful to see such a high level of engagement, creativity, and risk taking in their work.”
Building Confidence Through Art
One of the standout parts of the week was seeing students who don’t always thrive in traditional classroom settings absolutely shine in this environment. Confidence grew rapidly, and so did pride in their work.
Students were drawn to the freedom of the process, embracing ideas that felt “abstract in a good way” and unexpected. Michelle captured this beautifully:
“Many students who don’t always thrive in traditional classroom settings absolutely shone during the workshops. Seeing their confidence grow over just two days was a real highlight.”
Moments like these are exactly why I love doing what I do.
The Joy of Experimentation
A personal highlight was watching students dive into the more open ended stencil activities. There was a real sense of play, layering textures, testing materials, and embracing the unexpected.
“A standout moment was watching students experiment so freely with materials… there was such a strong sense of curiosity and joy.”
That sense of joy is what creativity is all about.
Bringing the Wall to Life
Alongside the workshops, I spent three days painting a large scale mural on the junior school building. The piece features vibrant native flora, centred around banksias, with a blue banded bee hovering above, a nod to the school’s environment and their Banksia Garden Trail.
The response from students was immediate and full of energy. “It pops,” one said. “Your eyes are attracted to it,” shared another. Many commented on how it “brightens up the school,” while others simply described it as “beautiful” and “pretty.”
There was also a real sense of surprise and delight:
“You walk around the corner and think, ‘whoa, that’s pretty.’”
Students connected strongly with the subject matter too, sharing how much they “really like the flowers” and that they “love the blue banded bee.” The mural’s connection to nature clearly resonated, with one student noting how it “connects to nature.”
Seeing the mural come together, and then witnessing these reactions during the reveal, was incredibly rewarding.
Beyond the week itself, what excites me most is the lasting impact of the residency. The mural now lives on as a legacy piece, and the skills students gained will continue to influence their creative journeys.
““The mural has far exceeded our expectations. It is a truly stunning piece. The vibrant native flora and the striking blue banded bee have already become a talking point within our community. The impact of your residency will be long lasting. The mural is a legacy piece that will continue to inspire students.””
It was also fantastic to hear that the workshops have sparked ongoing classroom ideas, with students eager to keep exploring street art techniques and colour in bold, expressive ways.
Working with Woodcroft College was an absolute joy from start to finish. The staff were supportive, the students were inspiring, and the entire experience was a reminder of how powerful art can be in education.
A huge thank you to Michelle Sutherland and the Woodcroft community for the warm welcome and for embracing the creative process so wholeheartedly.
I’m already looking forward to the next wall, the next group of students, and the next burst of colour.
