My name is Callin Dawson, and I am a multidisciplinary designer, visual artist and emerging Visual Arts educator with over 10 years of professional experience in the creative industry.
After completing a Bachelor of Design at UNSW, I have spent the past decade working across graphic design, branding, visual communication and creative direction, collaborating with a diverse range of businesses and brands. Throughout my career, I have intentionally brought together my skills in design with my passion for fine art, particularly drawing and painting, using creativity as a way to communicate ideas, tell stories and engage people.
I am excited to bring this experience into education, combining my professional design experience, fine arts practice and passion for young people to create meaningful, engaging and contemporary Visual Arts learning experiences. I see real value in bringing the worlds of fine art, design and visual communication together, giving students opportunities to explore creativity while developing practical skills and an understanding of how Visual Arts connect with the world beyond the classroom.
My Christian faith is also central to who I am and how I approach people, leadership and work. In 2020, alongside my husband, I helped plant and establish a vibrant church community, an experience that involved leadership, serving others, building community and significant creative and organisational work behind the scenes. I continue to be actively involved in my church community and am passionate about creating environments where young people feel known, valued, encouraged and challenged to grow.
I am particularly passionate about working with young people and believe Visual Arts education can offer students much more than technical skills. Art provides a space for students to develop confidence, curiosity, critical thinking and a deeper understanding of themselves, others and the world around them.
I am inspired by the opportunity to bring my industry experience, artistic practice, leadership skills and Christian faith into a school environment, encouraging students to develop both their creative abilities and the confidence to use them with purpose, integrity and imagination.