TWO Year 12 high school students have expressed delight and surprise after receiving prizes for their submissions in the HSC Graduates 2014 exhibition on display at the Griffith Regional Art Gallery.
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Marian Catholic College students Laura Panarello and Rhianna Colpo were among the 28 students from towns including Griffith, Barellan, Leeton, and Coleambally who submitted their Visual Arts, Textiles and Design and Design & Technology works for HSC Graduates 2014, an annual favourite with the community.
Local residents and art fans Brett Naseby, a professional photographer, and Nathan Thomas, a real estate agent, offered a $500 cash prize apiece to the work of their choice that demonstrated excellence in the artists’ chosen mediums.
Brett said he selected Laura’s work titled Behind Closed Eyes for her striking use of colour while Nathan said Rhianna’s Happily Never After was a clear winner for the immediate emotional impact it had on him.
“I was immediately drawn to the beautiful wash of colour that caught my attention and moved me,” Brett said.
“It made me want to better understand Laura’s process and message. It’s been a real pleasure to be part of this initiative that helps support students and their creativity, talent and efforts.”
Nathan said as soon as he came upon Rhianna’s works, “I felt myself disappear into them and the emotions of her visual and written messages really hit home for me and inspired me to reflect upon my role as a father to young children.”
Laura said the sensation of having her work recognised was “deeply rewarding.”
“There were so many beautiful pieces in the exhibition – I am so thrilled and overwhelmed that mine stood out.”
For Rhianna, the win was a surprise. “I focused on creating art that had meaning for me – so to see the messages of my personal pieces strike meaning with other people is really wonderful.”
Gallery manager Sarah Boon said the HSC exhibition was a very fitting activity to close 2014 at the gallery.
“I can’t think of a better way to end the year at the gallery than to showcase the beautiful works of our young residents who are about to embark on the next important chapter of their lives now that they have finished Year 12,” Sarah said.
The gallery will be closed from Monday, December 22 and will re-open on Friday, January 16 with the first exhibition of the New Year called The Griffith Collection.
