National Art School

The National Art School buildings, in Forbes Street, were originally Darlinghurst Gaol.
Built partly by convicts, and partly by the free labour, the gaol featured a panopticon, which allowed for surveillance of the prisoners from a central position.
Building of the prison commenced in 1822, but due to funding problems, it was not completed until the 1880’s. Convict transportation had ceased in 1840 and treating prisoners more humanely was one element of the much larger endeavour of creating a civil society.


The Chapel building (below) was restored in 2004 and is used for life drawing classes.

The former Chapel. NSA

                The Art School grew out of Sydney Technical College. The Department of Art was moved from Ultimo to the disused Darlinghurst Gaol site (1922), and after extensive modifications, it occupying five buildings alongside other departments from East Sydney Technical College. The name 'National Art School' was embraced during the 1950's, although it had been used earlier.

The National Art School Bachelor of Fine Art degree was accredited in 1998 and the three-year course began in 1999. NSA has a Gallery in one of the original gaol building which was refurbished and opened in 2006.

NSA is behind the Darlinghurst Court House at Taylor Square on Oxford Street         Location map         NAS info





References:  Dictionary of Sydney - National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol ;  NAS - History

Sculpture by the Sea, 2011 (1)

Chen Wenling - Childhood horizon

Sculpture by the Sea (Bondi) was held from 3rd to the 20th November 2011, along the 2km coastal walk between Bondi and Tamarama beaches. The exhibition featured over 100 sculptures by Australian and international artists.

Steve Croquett - Heads up

Keizo Ushio - Moebius in space planet

Alison Lee Cousland - 11:11

Orest Keywan - Above the line

James McCallum - The library

Byeong Doo Moon - I have been dreaming to be a tree

Lucy Barker - Sea change

North Head to Manly

City skyline from North Head (telephoto)

The Barracks

                                                 
This Sydney Excursion follows on from my North Head Sanctuary post. The other aspect of North Head is its military history. The headquarters for the Army School of Artillery was established at the North Head Barracks in 1946.
In 1998 it was relocated to Puckapunyal in Victoria, as North Head was no longer considered suitable.

You may also see references to the 'Australian Army Artillery Museum' which was located at North Fort.  It was also moved to Victoria in December 2010.

                                                                                                                               The North Fort Memorial Walk and memorials, honour those who have served in the defence of Australia in both war and peace. It spans the period from Australia's Colonial past, World War 1, World War 2 and Post-WW2 conflicts.                           Peacekeeping Operations and Civilian Services such as the Merchant Navy are included.

The heavy clouds cleared, making the mostly downhill walk back to Many wharf very pleasant. Along the way we passed Collins Beach and Little Manly Cove

Collins Beach, Sydney Harbour

Little Manly Cove, Sydney Harbour

Little Manly Cove

Thanks to Judith who led the group on this interesting and scenic walk

North Head Sanctuary

North Head was the home of the Army's School of Artillery until the late 1990's. The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust opened the Sanctuary to the public in 2007.

Sydney Harbour from North Head

The sanctuary provides protection for for the flora and fauna of North Head, which includes an endangered population of  Long-nosed Bandicoots.

 

Bandicoots were once common in Sydney where they foraged in parkland and back-yards but now are declining in numbers, due to numerous threats, including collision with vehicles and predation by dogs, cats and foxes.

Hanging Swamp, North Head

To reach North Head we caught a Manly Ferry from Circular Quay, then a 135 route bus from West Esplanade, near Manly Wharf. Our bus went as far as the entrance to the Old Quarantine Station, so we needed to walk further along North Head Scenic Drive, to North Fort (former artillery museum).
- see the map for Sydney Buses Route 135 (quick search in right hand column)

              Location Map                   North Head Sanctuary info.              Extra photos & frog call video

North Head Sanctuary Foundation -  Flora Walk Brochures