Gallery seeks Next Gen exhibitors

THE Art Gallery of Ballarat is now accepting expressions of interest for their Next Gen 2022 exhibition.

Secondary students in year 11 and 12 who are studying VCE art and design subjects are encouraged to apply to be part of the annual showcase, which celebrates young up-and-coming creatives, their art pieces, and hard work completed within the previous school year.

Gallery education officer Kate Gorman said the exhibition will launch in February, with its awards evening.

Students will be recognised in the areas of excellence, innovation and creativity, and the show will remain accessible until April.

A People’s Choice Award will also be presented when the exhibition closes, following votes from the public who visit Next Gen 2022.

Drawer and former studio art pupil Kyah Chisholm was 17 when she won the judges’ Excellence Award in 2020 for her piece Disconnected Generation.

“I really loved seeing my work being displayed in an actual gallery. I enjoyed the whole experience,” she said.

“I’ve been doing art as a hobby, although this opportunity sparked something in me, and I’m going to think about doing it as a career.”

Any interested art and design students are invited to apply online by visiting bit.ly/3BbruZL.