In a first for the Port Macquarie-Hastings - and probably the state - a partnership between the College, Hastings Valley Fine Art Association and the Glasshouse helped ease the pressure on some 18 students at an all-day workshop on Thursday, October 24.

Four association tutors and association members met with the students and their teachers at the Glasshouse to unravel some of the mysteries of four mediums - pastels, watercolours, charcoal and mixed media.

Association president Bernice Daher said the students were soaking up the experience.

"They were really taking in everything the tutors were saying," she said.

"I think it is an experience that they don't get inside the classroom. We were trying to expose them to as much media as we possibly could from our professional point of view and our own experiences.

"By presenting this to the students, at this stage of their school careers, it will give them time to choose the medium they want to following to create their own HSC major works," she said.

"I think they got something out of the day."

Mrs Daher said the association would take feedback from the students and teachers to incorporate into next year's program.

She said the Glasshouse was the right venue for the event and she looked forward to a continuing partnership.

Port Macquarie campus visual art teacher Karen Noble said the reaction from students had been fantastic.

"This is an amazing opportunity in so many different ways," she said.

"The tutors provided an insight into the different ways to use certain materials, how they work and how to adapt them to a particular artist's practices.

"They (the students) have been engaged all day.

"This is incredibly important for the students at this time when they are starting to think about their major works.

"It is a really valuable experience," she said.

Ms Nobel said she would support the program being rolled out in future years. She expected students to take their newly found skills back to the classroom.

The visual arts teacher said there were many benefits to the experience.

"The day gives the students an overall perspective on different materials which helps refine their understanding of how that particular material works," she said.

"They are getting a more in-depth study today which will help them proceed with a little more skill base and knowledge on how they manipulate these materials.

"This is a big melting pot of creativity," she said.

Port Macquarie campus' Lili McLean-Prosser said her knowledge base had been expanded through the tutors' involvement.

"The tutors are very knowledge-based and provided really detailed information," she said.

"I found it interesting, particularly with the pastels, the field of depth, how to bring things forward and other skills.

"It was really interesting."

Westport campus' Alex McBain described the atmosphere as "relaxed with no school bells".

"Once the tutors gave their presentations, they were available to provide us with feedback on our own works," she said.

"It has been really beneficial to see the different techniques they employ and these skills have been passed on to us.

"This is a good learning experience in a different learning environment which is always a good way to learn.

"It is certainly more relaxed with no school bells," she said.

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