The Third National Summer School in Computer Aided Art, Design and Manufacture (CAADM) for artists, craftworkers and designers was held at the Advanced Technology Education Centre, Regency College of TAFE for four weeks during January 1991. The primary aim of the school was to facilitate the acquisition of computer based skills by artists. This third school in ANAT’s training program remains the only such intensive training program in Australia devised specifically for artists.
The subsidised training program of Summer Schools is a high priority in ANAT’s yearly program, expanding and modifying each year in response to technological developments and student needs. The schools offer a unique learning environment which has become synonymous with ANAT’s Summer Schools. Due to the success of the program, and also the continuing lack of training opportunities for artists, ANAT introduced state-based Winter Schools, the first of which was held in Adelaide in July 1991.
ANAT maintains contact with all former participants in order to monitor benefits of the Summer School to them and the wider community. Following are comments from participants in the Third National Summer School in CAADM.
‘In conclusion, the environment was inspiring and supportive for my needs as an artist and beginner to computer graphics…gave me an important overview of technology being utilised in the artistic realm, broadening my scope and the possibilities available and helping to define the area of my work closer to its rightful context. Currently I am working with the Film and Television Institute with their assistance on a computer/video project.’ Colleen Cruise
‘The ANAT Summer School I attended in January this year was an outstanding, stimulating and well needed course. If the intention was to promote a confidence amongst artists to enable them to work with new technology, this was certainly achieved.’ Natalie Jeremijenko
Eighteen artists from all over Australia attended the 1991 Summer School. They were:
- Ann Wulff (Tasmania)
- John McQueenie (Tasmania)
- Pat Hoffie (Queensland)
- Glenda Nalder (Queensland)
- Sheridan Kennedy (Queensland)
- Natalie Jeremijenko (Queensland)
- Peter Travis (New South Wales)
- Linda Johnson (New South Wales)
- Colleen Cruise (Western Australia)
- Jill Smith (Western Australia)
- Dale Nason (Victoria)
- Troy Innocent (Victoria)
- Robin Best (Victoria)
- Rebecca Young (Victoria)
- June Savage (Victoria)
- Avra (Victoria)
- Alan Cruikshank (South Australia)
- Mark Abbott (South Australia)
Each student had their own computer work station. To complement the core skills-based program, a number of satellite events introduced participants to other new technologies and future-orientated issues through hands-on workshops and demonstrations, visits to industrial and research facilities and seminars.
Tutorial was given by technological experts from ATEC and technologically literate artists who were employed to offer their expertise in the area of computer imaging, and to focus on the creative, as opposed to the technical aspect of the program. They were Sally Pryor and John Tonkin, two of Australia’s most respected computer artists. Over three weeks, John and Sally taught the students animation, painting and manipulation on Amiga computers.
