2027 Art Teacher Camp

Camp Overview:

Immerse yourself in a transformative professional development experience at the Art Teacher Camp on Stradbroke Island / Minjerribah. Designed specifically for arts educators, this weekend offers an inspiring blend of place-based learning, creative exploration, and First Nation's cultural insight. Guided by lead artist and educator Andrew Peachey, alongside plein air painter Kate Marek and Quandamooka artist Sonja Carmichael, participants will engage in hands-on workshops and site-responsive activities that deepen understanding of both artistic practice and Minjerribah’s cultural and environmental heritage.

This immersive approach to learning directly supports AITSL Standards by enriching teachers’ capacity to:

• know students and how they learn through experiential and creative processes

• strengthen their ability to know the content and how to teach it through exposure to diverse artistic methods and First Nations perspectives

• enhance their skills in planning for and implementing effective teaching and learning by modelling authentic, place-based pedagogy akin to an IA1 Stimulus (General Syllabus Visual Art).

• engage in meaningful professional learning with colleagues and the wider arts community

Attendance at the Art Teacher Camp will equip educators with renewed confidence, cultural awareness, and innovative strategies to bring back to their school contexts.

Key Artist in Residence - Andrew Peachey:

Brisbane based artist, art educator and author, Andrew Peachey has over thirty nine years experience as an Art educator and painter. He has been co-author of the Senior Visual Art syllabus and two Cambridge Visual Art textbooks for senior secondary schools. Completing a Research Masters in Visual Art from the Queensland College of Art helped Andrew to hone his art practice and thinking. His recent paintings and photographs explore notions of personal history, memory, nostalgia and rebirth. Andrew has had numerous exhibitions and has more recently, over the past two years, received the Queensland Award at the National Teacher Artist Prize.

Andrew has extensive knowledge of Stradbroke Island/ Minjerribah from running his Year 11 Stimulus Experiences on the island. During the camp, Andrew will share the activities he incorporates into his Stimulus Experience and guide teachers through some of those art making tasks to inspire their own response to the environment and enhance teaching practice.

Supporting artists:

Sonja Carmichael:

Sonja Carmichael is a Ngugi woman of the Quandamooka people and a senior weaver. Revitalising traditional weaving practices, she creates contemporary fibre sculptures incorporating natural materials and discarded marine debris, celebrating cultural knowledge and caring for Country. Sonja's work features in many galleries in Australia and overseas and her most recent public work, Talwalpin durenma dutta (Hibiscus tilliaceus cotton tree grows strong ) stands proudly at 400 George St, Brisbane.

Kate Marek:

Brisbane-based artist Kate Marek @katemarek paints expressive plein-air landscapes. Her recent accolades include winning the 2025 Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Art Prize and People’s Choice Award, and in 2026 being selected as a finalist in the 2026 Queen's Wharf Prize and Paddo Painting Prize. She is currently showing at Chapter Gallery.

Accommodation:

Attendees can book their own accomodation or stay at Snapper Units - 76 Mooloomba Road Point Lookout, QLD

https://www.visitstradbroke.com.au/holiday-rentals/snapper-units

Making Venue:

https://stradbrokeisland.com/point-lookout-community-hall/

This professional development opportunity relates to the following QCT Professional Standards:

• 2 - Know the content and how to teach it

• 3 - Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning

• 6 - Engage in professional learning

• 7 - Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community

Cost includes:

• Accommodation (unless you choose the 'No Accommodation' option)

• Friday night pizza dinner

• Morning tea, lunch and refreshments Saturday and Sunday

• Basic materials related to workshop tasks

Additional Costs to camp attendee:

• Breakfasts for both mornings (full kitchen facilities are available)

• Dinner Saturday night

• Ferry Flyer: $23 return*
  * Private car transfers from Dunwich to Point Lookout, and between Point Lookout locations. Alternatively, there is a bus service on the island and bus stops outside the accommodation and hall. It is a 30min walk between the hall and accommodation.

  Bus timetable (50cent fares apply)

  If you choose to bring your own car across to the island, it will be at your own cost. Please book your ferry in advance here https://www.sealink.com.au/north-stradbroke-island/

Please bring:

• Breakfast for 2 mornings (You will have access to a kitchen or you may want to purchase from a local cafe)

• Specialty brushes or media you like to work with

• Apron

• A hat

Please Note: Transport on the island will be provided in private cars.

Transfers in private cars between Dunwich and Point Lookout is provided for 4.45 and 6.00pm flyer services. If you are interested in alternative travel arrangements to private cars, the distance between accommodation and Point Lookout Community Hall will be 30 mins walk. Buses are also available and stops are right outside the hall and both accommodation houses.

Bus timetable: (note 50cent fares apply)

More information and FAQ's:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A8sknW1O--A2GGExurHt8d5jaTDo0mj5/edit

QATA website:

Please email: qataexecutive@gmail.com with further questions