Queensland's top 2008 visual arts students recognised

Forty of Queensland’s most talented visual art and design students will be recognised at the Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art and Design in Brisbane tonight.

Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts Rod Welford said nearly 550 artworks were submitted by senior students from state and non-state schools across Queensland.

“I congratulate the students who received Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art and Design, and I also congratulate the parents and teachers who have nurtured their talent,” Mr Welford said.

“Award recipients are taking part in an intensive five-day workshop this week to introduce them to contemporary art practices including widely used professional techniques and approaches.

“The workshop is coordinated by Flying Arts and is designed to further develop the students’ artistic abilities.”

Mr Welford said the awards, previously known as the Education Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Art, were introduced in 1990 to promote and recognise excellence in visual arts education.

“These awards have become much sought-after recognition for senior visual arts students across Queensland,” he said.

“Since 1990, more than 800 students have been recognised, which is a testament to the outstanding creative abilities of Queensland’s visual art and design students and teachers.”

Mr Welford said visual arts and design continued to be an important part of the curriculum in Queensland.

“Highly developed visual arts skills can open doors to creative careers in fields such as architecture, advertising and film and television,” he said.

“Exposure to the arts also helps students to develop valuable life skills like creative problem-solving, communication and self-expression.”

Mr Welford said students would be encouraged to develop their creative skills in all aspects of their learning next year, with 2009 set to be the Year of Creativity.

“The ability to apply creativity is an essential skill for all young people in the 21^st century, and schools will focus on developing creativity across all areas of the school curriculum, from science, mathematics, technology, humanities to the arts.”

The 40 winning artworks would be exhibited at the Gallery of Modern Art next year before the exhibition toured in regional art galleries across Queensland. A list of the 2008 award recipients is below.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000

Creative generation excellence awards in visual art and design 2008 recipients

Greater Brisbane
Daniella Capelo, The Stuartholme School
Genevieve Carter, Mansfield State High School
Ben Chiang, Runcorn State High School
Naarah Goode, Springwood State High School
Johnny Huang, Brisbane Grammar School
Katelyn McCulloch, Albany Creek State High School
Charlotte Miller, The Stuartholme School
Medina Mujic-Begovic, Brisbane State High School
Leah Musch, Kelvin Grove State College
Caitlyn Pudney, Somerville House
Angelica Roache-Wilson, Brisbane State High School
Elysia Rubio, Redlands College
Stephanie Rykoff, Mansfield State High School
Elise Usher, All Hallows’ School
Angus Waller, Kelvin Grove State College
Jenny Woodland, St Peter’s Lutheran College

South Coast
Erin Bishara, All Saints Anglican School (Merrimac)
Jade Landell-Jones, St Hilda’s School (Southport)
Ashlyn McEldowney, Robina State High School
Jess Morton, Elanora State High School
Jordan Rochfort, The Southport School
Jesse Vogelaar, Robina State High School

Sunshine Coast
Brooke Dobbie, Bribie Island State High School
Stacey Garrett, Coolum State High School
Chelsea Hunter, Coolum State High School

Moreton
Tessa Brown, West Moreton Anglican College
David Page, Lowood State High School

Darling Downs
Araminta Pearce, Toowoomba State High School
Bianca Pohlman, St Ursula’s College (Toowoomba)

Wide Bay Burnett
Marnie Edmiston, Isis District State High School

Fitzroy Central West
Caitlin Pass, Emerald State High School

Mackay
Khara Deurhof, Mackay North State High School
Madison Strutynski, Whitsunday Anglican School (Mackay)

North Queensland
Nathan Mulligan, Pimlico State High School

Far North Queensland
Marshall Kusabs, Trinity Bay State High School
Hayden Moody, St Augustine’s College (Cairns)
Christina Roberts, Trinity Bay State High School
Maddy Savage, Cairns State High School
Nic Trott, St Augustine’s College (Cairns)
Ben Wall, Cairns State High School