2012 Conference Presenters

Michelle Bugler
Art Specialist- BA (Vis Art), Grad.Dip. Ed (Primary), M.Ed (Early Childhood)
 
Workshop Title:  “Talking Heads: Portrait Sculptures in the Early Years”  
This workshop focusses on developing skills, techniques and concepts with sculpture in the Early Years. Sculpture is a relatively neglected area in the Early Years due to many children’s immature fine motor skills. This activity, however, is an easy and enjoyable way to explore sculptural ideas. Mathematical concepts of scale, measurement, proportion, size and shape are also important components of the activity. The workshop will demonstrate practical approaches for implementing this project, focussing specifically on language, techniques and step-by-step strategies that will engage younger children in a deeper exploration of the Visual Arts.
Michelle has worked in many school settings over the last 20 years, mostly with young children and the visual arts. Michelle is also a practising artist who recently held her fourth solo exhibition at Doggett St Studio in Brisbane.
Working with young children and art is Michelle’s passion, and she is now the Director of Artstar Children’s Art Studio, a specialised art school for children encompassing ages 2- adults.
Michelle also works in schools where she implements art programs with children, mostly in the Early Years. She works extensively with teachers, facilitating workshops aimed at expanding teachers’ understanding of art curriculum, skills, techniques and children’s experiences in these.
Michelle has curated and displayed many children’s art exhibitions, the most recent at Brisbane Institute of Art in 2009.

Michelle's broad experience in arts education is a Primary Teacher
Art Specialist, Part-time Lecturer and tutor at QUT, Director of Artstar Children's and various "Artstar" Arts Consultancies. Michelle has been a presenter for PAN over many years and has always received wide applause for her insightful approach to the arts and education.
Primary Arts Network, Teacher Workshop (Early Years), "Story Pots", April 2010
Primary Arts Network "Year of Creativity" Conference Presenter (Early Years), 2009
Primary Arts Network, Early Years Drawing workshop: "Blossfeldt", Churchie, April 2008
Primary Art Network, Art education in the Primary School: Workshop presenter, 2003-2004
Michelle's workshop will involve many practical and appropriate strategies for the classroom.

Nicky Peelgran
Nicky Peelgrane is a teaching artist, actor, director and producer of Drama for and by young people.  Nicky holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education (Drama and English).  She has worked with students aged 3 to 83 - she helps students artistically articulate the issues they believe to be important.  She currently teaches Drama at Milton SS, Rainworth SS and Mitchelton SS.  Nicky is co-author of Commedia Oz: Playing Commedia in Contemporary Australia, a Drama text book widely in use in schools and universities throughout Australia.
Workshop Title: 'Sign of the Seahorse'
The workshop is designed for teachers who wish to use more Drama techniques in their classroom.  This workshop is based on aspects of Drama study in years 3-4 from the latest ACARA shape paper for the Arts.  Using the story, 'Sign of the Seahorse' by Graeme Base, participants will explore ways of using movement and gesture, voice and language through process Drama and play-building.  This is a practical workshop - please wear comfortable clothes!