Marathon painting effort earns Top Arts honour

BUDDING artist and Bendigo Senior Secondary College student Geordie Williamson has trumped thousands of other entrants from around the state after his painting, Allegory of a Blanket, was selected for Top Arts 2026.

The annual exhibition provides a platform for emerging artists from across the state who are completing their VCE studies to showcase their skills, enthusiasm, and creativity.

This year it highlights the increasingly innovative use of materials and techniques employed by 2025 VCE studies in Art Making and Exhibiting, and Art Creative Practice students.

The exhibition will be held at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Design Studio at Federation Square in Melbourne from Friday 13 March to Sunday 19 July.

Williamson said he was “beyond thrilled” when he found out that his work, an oil painting on stretched cotton canvas that took around 65 hours to complete, had been selected.

“I was very excited when I heard – not only for me, but also for my teachers,” he said.

The support from his teachers and fellow students – particularly those in BSSC’s art department – has also meant the world to Williamson.

“Marcus (Patching) is such a fantastic teacher and I think the achievement is a testament to his teaching,” he said.

“I love the arts department. It’s so nice to be surrounded by art all day; pieces that have had hours and hours of work and care poured into them.”

BSSC Visual Arts – Learning and Engagement coordinator Marcus Patching added: “The Top Arts judges are very privileged to have such an outstanding artwork to select for their exhibition.”

Find out more about Top Arts 2026 on the National Gallery of Victoria website.