All aboard the Beaconhills tram

Beaconhills students showing off their artwork.

By Mitchell Clarke

Year three students from Beaconhills College were thrilled to head into the city and see their artwork on the side of a Melbourne tram.

The students were “over the moon” when their art teacher Kyla Whitfield announced their collective design was chosen for an art project as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

The Melbourne Art Trams are a popular annual transformation project where trams are turned into moving canvases wearing artworks created entirely by the public.

“I’ve been aware of the Art Trams for a few years now, and I thought why not have a crack at doing it with the students,” Ms Whitfield.

With about 78 students getting involved, the theme of the artwork was about Melbourne being a welcoming place.

“The students were given the task of working in small groups and watching each other make welcoming gestures and then sketching those gestures,” she explained.

“To see that their work is valued enough that it’s now on a tram, it’s just a great reward I think.

“It will bring them great joy, which is really special.”

The students joined Ms Whitfield and Berwick head of junior school Matt Newman in posing for happy snaps in front of the colourful carriage.

The unique design is currently weaving its way around the city until August 2020.