The Julian Ashton Art School is named after its founder, who established the academy as the Sydney Art School in 1890. At a time when Australian colonial art largely imitated English watercolours, Ashton championed a new era of Australian artistic identity. Luminaries include Douglas Dundas, Jean Bellette, Max Dupain and Bill Leak.
The school runs classes throughout the year, with a focus on creation rather than academic analysis. The school’s motto is “art alone is the language of art”.