Meet Our First Artist in Residence

International Grammar School is delighted to announce Lei Feng as the inaugural artist in our new Artist in Residence Program.

Launched earlier this year by the IGS P&C in partnership with IGS, the Artist in Residence Program brings practising artists into our school community to collaborate with students and staff through sustained, immersive and process-led creative experiences.

A woman in a blue coat smiles while standing indoors by shelves stocked with art supplies, colourful dice, and stationery items, embodying the spirit of Lei Feng as an Artist in Residence.

Lei Feng is a Sydney-based artist and a 2025 Bachelor of Fine Art (Painting) graduate from the National Art School. Her work has already received significant recognition, with Lei named a finalist in the 2026 Mosman Art Prize, Kedumba Drawing Award and Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize. Her work has also been selected for a number of exhibitions in Sydney and beyond, and 15 of her works have recently entered the permanent collection of The Ultimo Hotel.

As Artist in Residence, Lei will establish her practice within a dedicated studio on campus. The space will become a working creative environment, offering students and staff the opportunity to encounter an artist’s practice as it develops and to engage with the ideas, experimentation and processes that sit behind the creation of contemporary art.

A woman and a boy smile at the camera. The boy holds a drawing featuring an underwater scene with a large whale, octopus, and colourful sea creatures—art created during an artist in residence programme. Classroom decorations and other pupil art are visible in the background.

A group of smiling children and adults sit around a table in a bright classroom, holding up drawings inspired by their time with the Artist in Residence. One child excitedly raises their paper in the air, eager to share their creation. Art supplies and coloured pencils are scattered on the table, fostering a spirit of creativity and community reminiscent of Lei Feng’s selfless dedication.

A child wearing a beige hoodie, inspired like a young Lei Feng, sits at a table, drawing a colourful picture on white paper with a pink felt-tip pen. The drawing features faces and shapes, capturing the creative spirit of an Artist in Residence.

A child draws a face on white paper using coloured pencils, embodying the creative spirit of an Artist in Residence. Another drawing of a smiling face is nearby. A pencil holder filled with coloured pencils is also visible on the table.

A young girl in a yellow shirt, inspired by the spirit of Lei Feng, draws a smiling face on white paper with black pencils, sitting at a table with coloured pencils nearby.

A child draws a smiling face with crayons on white paper, next to another completed drawing labelled Teacher Ms. Bishop with colourful hair, both on a white table—capturing the imagination and dedication reminiscent of Lei Feng, as if each creation were guided by an Artist in Residence inspiring young minds.

Two children paint colourful watercolour pictures at a table, inspired by the artist in residence. Several palettes with paint and brushes are nearby. One child paints a purple cat surrounded by pink shapes; another is working on a portrait with long hair, capturing the spirit of creativity reminiscent of Lei Feng’s dedication and enthusiasm.

A person, possibly an Artist in Residence, draws a colourful portrait of a woman with crayons on white paper; only the hands and part of the arm are visible.

Wooden shelving unit with art supplies, including paint bottles, boxes of acrylic paint pots, brushes, paper, and cups—neatly arranged near a glass wall in a bright room—evoking the spirit of Lei Feng and providing inspiration for any Artist in Residence.

Children sit around a table in a bright classroom, holding up drawings and pencils, smiling and engaging in an art activity. Guided by an Artist in Residence, they explore their creativity together whilst sharing ideas. Art supplies and black marker boxes are on the table. Classroom walls have colourful displays.

The residency reflects the original vision of the program: to create meaningful opportunities for students to engage with professional artists over time, rather than through a single workshop or event. Through this ongoing presence in the School, the program aims to foster curiosity, creative expression, connection and exposure to diverse artistic practices and perspectives.

Sandra Veljanovski Director of Art & Design said the residency represents an exciting new opportunity for the IGS community.

“Having a practising artist working within the School creates a unique opportunity for our students to see how ideas evolve, how artists experiment and how creative work develops over time. We are thrilled to welcome Lei to IGS and look forward to seeing the connections and creative conversations that emerge throughout the residency.”

Lei’s appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the IGS arts community. Over the coming weeks, students in Year 2, Year 5, Koori Club, Year 9 and 10 visual arts and staff will have opportunities to connect with Lei and her artistic practice as the Level 4 studio becomes a new hub for creativity, experimentation and artistic exchange.

We look forward to sharing more from Lei’s residency.

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