PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
FOR TEACHERS 〰️ BY TEACHERS
VISUAL ART EDUCATORS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Professional Development
〰️
Professional Development 〰️
Join the Visual Art Educators South Australia (VAESA) of the 2025 Annual Conference
This year's conference will feature a keynote speech by acclaimed South Australian artist Damien Shen, held at Glenunga International High Schoolon on Friday 19 September at 6pm.
Damien Shen’s powerful work, grounded in his Ngarrindjeri and Chinese heritage, challenges perceptions while exploreing identity, culture, and belonging. His keynote will invite educators to reflect deeply on their practice and the role of art in shaping inclusive, culturally aware classrooms.
Saturday 20 September will feature studio based workshops at Adelaide Central School of Art, including sessions with renowned artists and educators: Thomas Readett, Jess Mara, Dr. Athanasios Lazarou, and Dr. Sera Waters.
Together, these sessions offer strategies in culturally inclusive teaching and learning, and subject-based professional practice. The conference also provides ways to engage with fellow visual arts educators and the broader arts community.
Day 1- 19 September
Keynote Speaker: Damien Shen
Day 2- 20 September
Studio Based Workshops at ACSA with
Thomas Readett
Jess Mara
Dr. Athanasios Lazarou
Dr. Sera Waters
Damien Shen VAESA Keynote 2025
Join us for a powerful keynote by renowned artist Damien Shen. Drawing on his Ngarrindjeri and Chinese heritage, Damien will share insights into is artistic practice and how art can foster cultural respect, and understanding in the classroom. A must for arts and humanities educators committed to honouring Aboriginal voices and perspectives.
This ticket is for the Firday keynote only. If you have purchased a full VAESA Conference, the Friday keynote and Saturday are included,
If you woudl like to purchas a full conference titket please visit: 2025 VAESA Conference
Damien Shen is a South Australian man of Ngarrindjeri and Chinese bloodlines. His artistic practice is embedded in histories, revisiting the people, places and stories that shape the world he occupies. Shen is constantly constructing and deconstructing the world around him through drawing, painting and photography, using the creative process to better understand his identity and the identity of those that help to shape the world he lives. While he pushes his practice across different mediums his content remains relevant to contemporary Australian issues around race, history and politics.
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The professional art & design teacher association that’s passionate about helping you thrive in the classroom.
Image: SALA Members Exhibtion 555 - Fifty $ Fine Fancies at Diverse-City, 3-29 August 2025JOIN THE CLUB
Become a VAESA Member for an annual subscription of $60 a year to receive access to exclusive online content, and discounted tickets for VAESA events.
MEMBER BENEFITS
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COMMUNITY
Connect with education thought leaders and artists at workshops & show your art at VAESA exhibitions.
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LEARNING
Grow your creative confidence with training & development opportunities facilitated by VAESA.
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INSPIRATION
Access on point art & design education resources, videos and arts based research online with VAESA.
Acknowledgement
VAESA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country across all South Australia and the land on which we meet. We understand and appreciate the significance of the connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the land, and that their cultural art traditions are intertwined with ancestral stories and song lines. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and those emerging.
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