MORE than 100 students from Upper Swan primary school have been involved in the creation of two murals celebrating the importance of conserving the Western Swamp tortoise in Swan.

Artists Kat Ferguson and Nicola Cowie worked with Year 5 and 6 students to develop the murals, which were unveiled alongside an art exhibition showcasing student work inspired by the species and its environment on Thursday.

The project combined creative arts with humanities and social sciences (HASS), using the western swamp tortoise as a focal point for students to learn about the ecology of the area while developing artistic skills.

Ms Ferguson said the art residency they were part of was structured to give students a broad understanding of both environmental education and creative practice.

“Eight weeks were spent working with the students on their own creative projects and then the final two weeks were dedicated to bringing the mural together,” she said.

The finished artwork depicted two perspectives of the tortoise’s environment.

One mural showcased the Swan Valley and the Darling Ranges including birds and sky while the second mural took viewers underwater into the tortoise’s aquatic habitat.

Ms Ferguson said the final design came about after reviewing hundreds of student artworks created throughout the residency.

“We had more than 400 artworks to work with,” she said.

The artists encouraged students to explore habitat themes throughout the project, drawing local flora and fauna and incorporating natural textures collected from the school grounds.

A scavenger hunt early in the residency saw students gather fallen leaves, bark, twigs and other natural materials which were later used in artworks and printmaking exercises.

One of the techniques students learned was gelli printing, which involved applying paint to a flexible printing plate before using leaves and other found objects to create textured impressions.

The equipment purchased through the project would remain at the school, allowing students and teachers to continue using the materials beyond the residency.

Ms Ferguson said the collaboration between environmental learning and artistic practice was one of the most rewarding aspects of the project.

“Art can help bring that message to the forefront and make people think about why these animals and their habitats matter,” she said

Upper Swan primary school teacher Louise Cepo incorporated western swamp tortoise-themed activities into other year levels, with students creating clay works, drawings and stencils connected to the project.

The students were able to take part in the artist in residence programme thanks to a grant of $19,622 from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural industries obtained by Mrs Cepo.

Upper Swan students expressed their excitement for learning new art processes from practising artists and their newfound appreciation for how nearby the tortoises lived.

Western Swamp tortoises were thought to be extinct for over a century until one was found near the road in Upper Swan in 1953.

15-year-old Robert Boyd’s discovery led to a successful captive breeding program by the Perth Zoo that brought the species back from the brink of extinction.

The Ellenbrook Nature reserve is now one of the main homes to the endangered species.