MATHS AND ART AN EDUCATIONAL COMBINATION

Maths and art came together at the Kedumba Gallery at Blue Mountains Grammar, as students used the collection of drawings to explore patterns as part of Maths Day.

Special Envoy for the Arts, local MP Susan Templeman, was invited to visit the collection while the students worked and said it was a great example of bring maths and art working together.

“It was a terrific example of creative teaching and teaching creativity, along with maths, as the students searched the incredible Kedumba collection to match the patterns they’d been given,” Ms Templeman said.

“I did say I wished some of my maths teachers had thought about making the subject a bit more fun when I was young!,” she admitted.

The Kedumba Collection of Australian Drawings is held in a dedicated gallery at Blue Mountains Grammar, and is considered to be the most important collection of Australian drawings outside the National Gallery.

While housed on school grounds, it is protected by a Trust for the people of Australia and is open to viewing to anyone by appointment.

“This is an exceptional collection which includes many well known names, such as Ben Quilty, Arthur Boyd, Judy Cassab and John Olsen, and now that it has returned home to the Mountains from being cared for at Orange Regional Gallery, to a dedicated space, it’s well worth visiting,” Ms Templeman said.

“Maths is an area that can seem challenging and disconnected, but we know maths is everywhere,”Blue Mountains Grammar Principal, Steven Coote said. “Our teachers look to connect maths into all areas of learning, so for International Maths Day we decided to connect Maths to the Art at Kedumba Gallery. We always have an open door, and all schools are always invited to visit and experience the artistic talent on display at Kedumba.”

Director of Kedumba Collection, Marlene Plummer, said visitors were welcome. “I welcome children of all ages to the Kedumba Gallery as I believe art and music are vital to a childs development,” Ms Plummer said. “The Kedumba Collection is a public collection and considered to be the most significant Collection outside the National Gallery.

“The Collection, which is rotated regularly, inspires the creative minds of young people and it is amazing what they observe and what they can produce without being prompted or guided.

“The gallery is open the first Sunday of the month and at other times by appointment and I encourage school groups and families to book a visit.”