Great Scot | Issue 173 | 2025
Unleashing creative confidence
Junior School Art at Scotch
Stepping into the Montgomery building art room at Scotch Junior School is like stepping into an explosion of colour. Mismatched custom-built cupboards and drawers, tubs of coloured sequins arranged in rainbow order, a bold Scotch-red feature wall and carpet that hints at a nostalgic bowling alley. It’ s clear this is no ordinary classroom. And that’ s exactly how Priscilla Williams, Head of Junior School Art, likes it.
Priscilla has been part of the Scotch College community for over two decades. She’ s spent years crafting a program that’ s as diverse as the students who walk through her door.“ Art should be everywhere,” she says.“ It’ s not just something you put on a wall.”
All throughout Prep to Year 6, Junior boys at Scotch explore a wide array of techniques and materials. From experimenting with painting, clay and construction, to mosaics, collaborative works and even shadow puppetry.
“ I encourage boys to look and be inspired by other artists from different cultures, genders and eras,” Priscilla explains.“ I try to make the program heavily skill-based,
exploring a variety of techniques and ideas.”
Recent projects have included everything from Van Gogh-inspired finger painting to contemporary ceramics influenced by Linda Lopez, and bold, self-proclaiming works drawn from Mulga’ s iconic illustrations. Year 6 boys recently took on a group installation exploring dot techniques. Inspired by both Yayoi Kusama and traditional Indigenous artists, they were challenged to make their individual piece stand out despite all receiving the same brief.
One of the most beloved creative opportunities at Scotch is Art Club, which runs once per cycle during lunchtime. Open to all students, it’ s a time where boys can work on current projects, start something of their own, or simply experiment.
Boys attend the club for a variety of reasons: Samir( Year 2) attends Art Club“ so we can continue with our work”. Krish( Year 3), says“ I come to enjoy my passion”. And Hamish( Year 3), one of Art Clubs most regular attendees and undoubtedly inspired by their recent look at environmental artist Pontus Jansson, told us“ I come to art club to practise making rock piles”.
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