Students excited to feature in Queenscliff Art Prize

YOUNG artists in schools across the region have scored an opportunity to showcase their work at the Queenscliff Art Prize, which begins on November 1.

Surf Coast Secondary School’s Luca Voss (Year 11) and Mackie Colledge (Year 10) are two of almost two dozen students selected from local schools to have their works featured in the annual exhibit.

Mr Voss’ sculpture, which featured in this year’s Lorne Biennale will be photographed for the exhibit.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” Mr Voss said.

“This is a great stepping stone in getting my name out there as an artist and getting good exposure.

“I haven’t fully decided what my medium will be moving forward, but I’ve been doing art for pretty much most of my life.

“I love the creative side of art, putting pencil to paper and just making something out of it and to be able to feature in the Queenscliff Art Prize is awesome.”

Miss Colledge said she was surprised to hear her painting had been selected.

“I was stoked to be honest because I never really considered myself to be able to do something like this,” Miss Colledge said.

“It made me feel a bit proud, that I was able to do something that someone else recognised as worthwhile showing to the public.

“Art for me is an expression of creativity and freedom, just being able to do what you want.

“It’s art, it’s individualised to you, the only opinion that really matters at the end of the day is your own.”

Surf Coast Secondary College art teacher Susan Barlow said it was positive the Queenscliff Art Prize extended its exhibit to local students, particularly during the early stages of their careers.

“It’s fantastic because it gives students the opportunity to broaden their audience, and at the same time seek some sort of recognition for the effort and processes they are going through,” Ms Barlow said.

“The Queenscliff Art Prize is so exciting because it’s site specific and thoughtfully presented, it’s going to be a beautiful exhibition, that’s why we’ve chosen Luca and Mackie, because their works fit wonderfully into that context.”

Other schools announced to feature students in the Queenscliff Art Prize include Kardinia International College Apollo Bay P-12 College, Lorne P-12 College, Sacred Heart College Geelong, Saint Ignatius College Geelong, Bellarine Secondary College, Christian College Geelong and Geelong High School.