Abstract Art with Heart, Heritage, and Storytelling.

Community Aboriginal Art Projects

Find some inspiration from the Vibrant World of Deborah Bonar's Portfolio

Schools and Community Murals

Explore community-engaged Aboriginal art projects by Deborah Bonar. These works include school murals on canvas or board and collaborative storytelling artworks. Each project is developed with cultural respect, shared creativity and community participation at its core.

Collaborative Cultural Storytelling

Perth local artist Deborah Bonar of Scribblebark works directly with businesses and schools to create custom community artwork for their spaces. Create an art project that reflect shared stories and experiences with Deborah Bonar.
Bonar is known for leading community art projects such as the Mandurah's recent "One Place, Many Voices" artwork which involved community members contributing to the community canvas. This community artwork celebrates Mandurah's story, fostering unity and a sense of shared creation. Deborah Bonar is a practising artist who works collaborative with community activation projects, helping the community collectively through art.
Deborah has been involved with 'Artist in Residencies' on numerous occasions with creative art workshops, community canvases, and art murals; particularly during NAIDOC Week celebrations. You name it - Collaborative Artwork, Corporate Conferences, Summits, Gala Dinners and more.Enquiries welcome and start planning your next school, corporate or family event.
SHOWCASE Katie Valentine's Birthday Celebration, 2017 Community Canvas Art Workshop with Gija and Yamaji Artist Deborah Bonar with family & friends
Where you can see Contemporary Aboriginal Artist Deborah Bonar's Community Art Projects around Perth, Western Australia.
  • St Marys Anglican Girls School,Kindy, 2025
    Collaborative Aboriginal dot painting mural on board with the students and staff.
    Woodlands Primary, 2025
    Painting Aboriginal designs and symbols onto bucket hats with year 4 students.
    City Beach Primary & Japanese School in Perth, 2024
    Creative Art Workshop creating a Community Canvas over 3 days with the whole school.
  • Woodlands Primary, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
    Aboriginal Art Sneaker Workshop painting with fabric paints with year 4 students.
    Woodlands Primary Art Mural Workshops, 2022
    Conducted a series of art workshops with all to create multiple murals onto boards.
    Woodlands Primary Kindy Aboriginal Art Mural, 2022
    Artist in Residence with the Woodlands Primary School Kindy Classes.
  • Harrisdale Primary, 2021
    Facilitated interactive Art Workshops during NAIDOC Week with an Artist Talk.
    Belridge Secondary Education Support Centre, 2021
    Collaboration with all the students and staff to paint a 9.6 x 1.2 metres mural on boards.
    Kiara College High School, 2021
    Commissioned to create an Aboriginal Artwork with students, mural measuring 4.8 meters long.
  • Halls Head Community College, 2020
    Conducted interactive art workshops creating a 1 x 3 metres Community Canvas with the students & staff.
    Darlington Primary, 2017
    Facilitated Art Workshops with all the students and staff to create a 1 x 3 m Community Canvas on board.
    Mullaloo Beach Primary, 2017
    Artist Deborah ran interactive creative art workshops to create a 3.5 x 1.1 metres mural with everyone.
  • St George Anglican Grammar School, 2017
    Deborah Bonar presented an Artist Talk + conducted Art Workshops to create a Community Canvas, Yr 11's.
    Mullaloo Kindy, 2016
    Deborah conducted NAIDOC art workshops to create a 3.5 x 1.1 m outdoor mural with the children & staff.
    Oberthur Primary, 2016
    During Deborah's Artist in Residence she conducted a series of art workshops to create a 1 x 1.5 m painting.
  • Beldon Primary School, 2015
    Beldon students & staff created a Community Canvas. NAIDOC Workshop funded by City of Joondalup.
    Mundaring Christian College, 2013
    NAIDOC Activities at Mundaring Arts Centre, Art Workshop with Deborah Bonar painting calico bags.
    Sacred Heart School, 2012
    Year 2 & 3 students painted a numbat or a long necked turtle with acrylics on canvas for NAIDOC.
Perth based Aboriginal contemporary artist Deborah Bonar has completed numerous Artist in Residence Community Art Commissions within the school community environment during her artistic career, check out each project below in more detail about the process. St Marys Anglican Girls School Kindy, 2025 Artist in Residence 18 Aug, Created a 1 x 2 metre collaborative mural on board with the students and staff. Woodlands Primary School, 2025 Aboriginal Art on Bucket Hats Painting Workshops with fabric paints on hats, Yr 4 students. Connecting On Whadjuk Country: City Beach Primary School, 2024 In October, Interactive Creative Art Workshops to create three 1 x 1.5 metres Community Canvases over three days with the students, staff and community members, Japanese School in Perth and Artist Deborah Bonar. Woodlands Primary School, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 Aboriginal Art Sneakers Workshops with fabric paints on canvas sneakers, Yr 4 students. Woodlands Primary School, 2022 Artist in Residence Sept & Dec, Conduct a series of art workshops with all students and staff to create multiple murals onto 19 boards, the project measuring more than 17 metres long. Woodlands Primary School Kindy, 2022 Artist in Residence Oct & Nov, Aboriginal Art Mural on Floor of Kindy Area, acrylic and ochre on cement floor, various Harrisdale Primary School, 2021 NAIDOC in July, interactive art workshops to create a 1 x 3m Community Canvas with the students and staff. Presented an artist talk.Belridge Secondary Education Support Centre, 2021 Artist in Residence June, Conducted a series of art workshops to create a 9.6 x 1.2 metres mural on boards with the students and staff.Kiara College High School, 2021 Artist in Residence May, Conducted a series of art workshops to create a 4.8 x 1.2 metres mural on boards with the students and staff.Halls Head Community College, 2020 Artist in Residence November & December, Conducted interactive art workshops to create a 1 x 3 metres Community Canvas with the students and staff. Presented an artist talk.Mullaloo Beach Primary School, 2017 Artist in Residence August 3 & 4, Conducted interactive art workshops to create 3.5 x 1.1 metres mural with the children and staff. Darlington Primary School, 2017 Artist in Residence June 21 & 26, Conducted interactive art workshops to create a 1 x 3 metres Community Canvas on board with all the students and staff.St George Anglican Grammar School 2017 Artist in Residence June 6 & 7, Conducted interactive art workshops to create a 1 x 3m Community Canvas with the Year 11 students and staff. Presented an artist talk. Mullaloo Kindy, 2016 NAIDOC Activities June 20 & 21, Conducted interactive art workshops to create 3.5 x 1.1 meters outdoor mural with the children and staff. Oberthur Primary School, 2016 Bull Creek. Artist in Residence September 9 & 12, Conducted a series of Artist Talks and interactive art workshops to create a 1 x 1.5 metres Community Canvas with the students and staff.Beldon Primary School, 2015 City of Joondalup NAIDOC Celebrations. Artist in Residence June 15 & 16, Beldon Primary School. Conducted a series of Artist Talks and interactive art workshops to create a 1 x 3 metres Community Canvas with the students and staff. Mundaring Christian College, 2013 Mundaring Arts Centre NAIDOC Activities. Artist in Residence July – August, Conducted two art workshops for primary school students from Mundaring Christian College.Sacred Heart School, 2012 NAIDOC Activities. July, Conducted art workshops for primary school students from Sacred Heart School.

Community Art

Connecting On Whadjuk Country: Community Canvas – City Beach Primary School
Community canvas created on the 8, 10 and 15 October 2024 with Deborah Bonar at City Beach Primary. Preliminary design by Deborah Bonar, she conducted a series of interactive art workshops where participants contributed to the overall artwork painting dots. In collaboration with City Beach Primary students, staff and community members, Japanese School in Perth and Artist Deborah Bonar.
Connecting On Whadjuk Country, 2024 Artwork by Deborah Bonar 147 x 310cm, Acrylic on canvas
The Painting StoryThis community canvas artwork is an abstract Aboriginal dot painting representing the landscape of Western Australia and the theme of community connections. The artwork depicts a birds-eye view of City Beach on where City Beach Primary is located featuring the surrounding landscape.An abstract demonstrating the importance of place in forming cultural identity. Through capturing and fascinating our imagination, reclaiming country by painting repetitive patterns, shapes and detailed dotting. Showing a love of place and country with the use of vibrant colours.Symbolising the continuation of pathways, our journeys taken, destinations and meeting places. This artwork explores the interrelationships between humans and their environment and engages with themes of connections, reconnections, family, reuniting people and places, gatherings and celebrations of all peoples.
Aboriginal Art Painting Bucket Hats Workshops - Woodlands Primary School
Deborah Bonar presented an Artist Talk on her art practice and spoke about Aboriginal symbols.Aboriginal Art Painting Bucket Hats Art Workshops with fabric paints, Yr 4 students. Two painting sessions were held with Deborah Bonar where the students had the opportunity to paint Aboriginal designs onto their hats.Fabric paints on bucket hats, various
St Marys Anglican Girls School Kindy - Art Mural Collaboration
Artist in Residence Aug 18, Conducted interactive art workshop to create 2 x 1 meter outdoor mural on board with the children and staff. The artwork is an abstract Aboriginal Art Mural depicting a birds-eye view of the landscape on where St Marys is located featuring the surrounding Trigg Bushland Reserve Trails and small creatures. Deborah Bonar presented a short Artist Talk about her art practice and spoke about Aboriginal symbolsAcrylic and ochre on board, 100 x 200cm
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
Aboriginal Art Sneaker Workshops - Woodlands Primary School
As part of her Artist in Residence, Deborah Bonar presented an Artist Talk on her art practice and spoke about Aboriginal symbols.Aboriginal Art Sneaker Workshops with fabric paints on canvas sneakers, Yr 4 students. Two painting sessions were held with Deborah Bonar where the students had the opportunity to paint Aboriginal designs onto shoes.Fabric paints on black canvas shoes, various
Aboriginal Art Mural Collaboration - Woodlands Primary School
Artist Deborah Bonar was 'Artist in Residence' during Sept – Dec 2022 at Woodland Primary school to complete a major Community Art Mural project. Deborah conducted a series of interactive art workshops with all students and staff for their NAIDOC celebrations.
The preliminary design was created by Deborah Bonar and everyone contributed to the overall designs painting their stories and adding dots to create multiple murals onto 19 boards, measuring more than 17 metres long. The artwork is an abstract Aboriginal dot painting depicting a birds-eye view of the landscape on where Woodlands Primary is located featuring the surrounding landscape.Part of the project also included artwork created onto the cement flooring of the Kindy area.
Acrylic on marine ply, 19 panels
Aboriginal Art Mural Collaboration of Kindy Floor Area - Woodlands Primary School Kindy
Acrylic and ochre on cement floors, various
Harrisdale Primary School - Community Canvas
Harrisdale Primary Community Canvas was created on 19, 21, 23 July 2021 with Deborah Bonar as ‘Artist in Residence’. Preliminary design by Deborah Bonar. All students and staff from Harrisdale Primary and the B Hive Kindy contributed to the overall design during a series of interactive art workshops painting dots for NAIDOC celebrations.Acrylic on canvas, 100 x 300cm
The artwork is an abstract Aboriginal contemporary dot painting depicting a birds-eye view of the landscape on where Harrisdale Primary is located featuring the surrounding landscape.
Belridge Secondary Education Support Centre - Aboriginal Art Mural
The artwork is an abstract Aboriginal dot painting depicting a birds-eye view of the landscape on where Belridge Secondary Education Support Centre is located and the surrounding landscape featuring the ocean coastline and Lake Joondalup.Belridge Mural created on 14, 16, 18, 21 June 2021 with Deborah Bonar as ‘Artist in Residence’ Preliminary design by Deborah Bonar. Belridge Secondary ESC students and staff contributed to the overall design during a series of interactive art workshops painting dots.Acrylic on marine ply, 12 panels 120 x 960cm
Kiara College - Community Canvas on Panels
The artwork is an abstract Aboriginal dot painting depicting a birds-eye view of the landscape on where Kiara College is located and the surrounding landscape.Community Canvas created on 31 May, 1, 2 and 8 June 2021 with Deborah Bonar as ‘Artist in Residence’. Preliminary design by Deborah Bonar. Kiara College students and staff contributed to the overall design during a series of interactive art workshops painting dots.Acrylic on marine ply, 6 panels, 120 x 480cm
Halls Head College - Community Canvas
The artwork is an abstract Aboriginal dot painting depicting a bird's-eye view of the landscape on where Halls Head College is located and the surrounding landscape.Community Canvas created on 30 November and 3 December 2020 with Deborah Bonar as 'Artist in Residence'. Preliminary design by Deborah Bonar. Halls Head College students and staff contributed to the overall design during a series of interactive workshops painting dots. The entire college took part in the mural.Acrylic on canvas, 100 x 300cm
Mullaloo Beach Primary School - Community Canvas Mural
The artwork is an abstract Aboriginal dot painting depicting a bird's-eye view of the landscape on where Mullaloo Beach Primary School is located. It represents the natural features and the colours of the surrounding landscape with waterholes and the rat kangaroos. Mullaloo is an Aboriginal term for 'Place of the Rat Kangaroo'.Community Canvas created on 3 & 4 August 2017 with Deborah Bonar as 'Artist in Residence'. Preliminary design by Deborah Bonar. Mullaloo Beach Primary School students and staff contributed to the overall design during a series of interactive workshops painting dots. Year's 1, 2 & 3, approximately 120 students took part in the mural.Acrylic on marine ply, 110 x 350cm
Darlington Primary School - Community Canvas
The artwork is an abstract Aboriginal dot painting depicting a bird's-eye view of the landscape on where Darlington Primary School is located. It represents the natural features and colours of the surrounding bush land.Community Canvas created on 21 & 26 June 2017 with Deborah Bonar 'Artist in Residence'. Preliminary design by Deborah Bonar. Darlington Primary School students and staff contributed to the overall design during two interactive art workshops painting dots. Year's 1 to 6, approximately 300 students took part in the artwork. This project involved the whole school in the lead up to NAIDOC Week.Acrylic on marine ply, 100 x 300cm
St George Anglican Grammar School - Community Canvas
This artwork titled 'Perth City Life' is a birds-eye view of the landscape on where St George Anglican Grammar School is located in the heart of Perth with the iconic Swan River. An abstract Aboriginal dot painting that reflects the diversity and colours of Perth’s city life.Community Canvas created on 6 June & 7 June 2017 with Deborah Bonar as ‘Artist in Residence’. Preliminary design by Deborah Bonar. St George Anglican Grammar School students (Years 7, 8 & 9) and staff contributed to the overall design during two interactive art workshops painting dots.Acrylic on canvas, 100 x 300cm
Mullaloo Kindy - Outdoor Mural
Community canvas created on 20 and 21 June 2016. Preliminary design by Deborah Bonar. Mullaloo Kindy students and staff contributed to the overall design during two sessions to cover both groups. The artwork comprises of three panels of marine ply and is on permanent display on the front of the Mullaloo Kindy building.Acrylic on marine ply, 112 x 360cm
The Painting StoryThis is an artwork celebrating the kindergarten two groups - “Starfish” and “Dolphins”. We used an underwater theme to develop the artwork.
Oberthur Primary - Community Canvas
This artwork titled 'Bull Creek' is is an abstract Aboriginal dot painting of Oberthur Primary School and where it sits in the landscape within the suburb of Bull Creek, Western Australia.Community Canvas created on 9 & 12 September 2016 with Deborah Bonar as ‘Artist in Residence’. Preliminary design by Deborah Bonar. Oberthur Primary School students (Years 5 & 6) and staff contributed to the overall design during a series of interactive workshops painting dots.Acrylic on Belgian linen, 100 x 150cm
Beldon Primary School - Community Canvas
This is an abstract painting of Beldon Primary School and where it sits in the landscape within the City of Joondalup.Community canvas created on the 15 & 16 June 2015 with Deborah Bonar as 'Artist in Residence' during the school's NAIDOC Celebrations. Preliminary design by Deborah Bonar. Beldon Primary School students and staff contributed to the overall design during a series of interactive workshops. This project involved the whole school in the lead up to NAIDOC Week funding by City of Joondalup.Acrylic on canvas, 101 x 294cm
Mundaring Christian College - Mundaring Arts Centre
- Painting Art Workshops
From July 19 to 25 August 2013, Deborah Bonar was Artist in Residence at the Mundaring Arts Centre as well as exhibiting her artwork with a group of Aboriginal artists in an Exhibition titled Third Space.As part of her Artist in Residence, Deborah Bonar conducted two primary school art workshops and an Artist Talk for NAIDOC. She talked about her art practice and her public art commissions and showed them examples of her vibrant artwork. The students were then given the opportunity to paint a numbat or a long necked turtle on calico a bag.Artworks produced at the children's workshops from Mundaring Christian College, Year 3 & Year 5.
Scared Heart School - Mundaring Arts Centre - Painting Art Workshops
Deborah Bonar conducted two primary school art workshops at the Mundaring Arts Centre during NAIDOC Week celebration activities in July 2012.She talked about her Aboriginal heritage and her art practice to the students and showed them examples of her vibrant artwork. The students were then given the opportunity to paint a numbat or a long necked turtle with acrylic paints on canvas.Artworks produced at the children's workshops from Sacred Heart School, Year 2 & Year 3.
Scribblebark design is an Aboriginal business registered on the Aboriginal Business Directory WA.
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About Scribblebark Studio
Scribblebark Studio is the home of Contemporary Aboriginal Abstract Art by Gija (East Kimberley) and Yamaji (Mid-West Western Australia) artist Deborah Bonar. Based in Perth and Mandurah, Deborah creates vibrant acrylic and ochre paintings that honour her cultural connections to Country through colour, movement, and layered abstraction. Collectors can explore a curated range of original artworks, open-edition prints, and custom Aboriginal art commissions tailored for residential, corporate, and community spaces. Scribblebark Studio proudly supports ethical, authentic First Nations art practices. Shipping is available across Perth, Peel Region, Western Australia, Australia, and internationally.
Studio visits available by appointment only.
Contact Information
Perth - Mandurah, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Artist serving Perth, Mandurah, Rockingham, and greater Western Australia.
Scribblebark Studio acknowledges the Whadjuk and Bindjareb Noongar peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands where the studio is located. We also honour the Gija people of the East Kimberley and the Yamaji peoples of the Mid-West, from whom artist Deborah Bonar descends. We pay deep respect to Elders past and present, and celebrate the enduring strength, culture, and stories of First Nations communities across Western Australia.
© 2025 Deborah Bonar Scribblebark design — All rights reserved. www.scribblebark.com.au