School collaborates to produce artwork

Otago Daily Times

16-06-2025

Musselburgh School pupils and artist Ana Teofilo celebrate the unveiling of the school's collective artwork at an assembly yesterday. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN
The talents of the entire Musselburgh School have been combined for a new artwork.
The piece, which is yet to be named, will be on display in the school assembly hall.
It was completed in collaboration with artist Ana Teofilo, who helped bring all the different themes together.
She said it took about a week to put together, after a one-day brainstorming session with pupils.
"It's amazing just knowing that all the kids took part in it, and we were able to just put it in one big piece where they can celebrate it and feel proud."
Each pupil drew something that was somehow inspired by Samoan Language Week.
"There were a lot of connections through weaving. There were Samoan flags. Some drew cats because they have a personal, you know, connection to little cats. There were also a lot of florals."
Seeing the pupils develop their work was also inspiring, she said.
"So we had all the senior classes first, and then we had the juniors come through. So you could see the tightness of their drawings to the looseness of the younger ones, which is really cool."
She had not put together a collaborative artwork before.
"This would be my first piece where we've all collaborated in one piece.
"Usually, I would do workshops where each individual creates a piece, and we would put it together. So, this was something special in one single piece.
"I'd absolutely love to do something like this again if there's another opportunity for it."
Principal Robin Taylor said they were delighted to invite Ms Teofilo to the school as part of their recognition of Samoa Language Week.
"Ana had beautifully prepared the piece for collaboration with all of the students who were present on the day.
"Each student created their own design, around a significance to them, to build up the background — Ana then took the piece and completed the design, which replicates our new school logo with a Pasifika flavour.
"Our home and school association raised funds to enable Ana to spend time with us. We are extremely proud of this new and beautiful piece of work, which will be displayed in the school hall so all our school ākonga, whānau and manuhiri can view it."
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