Art Day 2025 – A Burst of Colour, Creativity & Connection
When Art Day rolls around, the College comes alive in a whole new way. Maybe it is the colour everywhere you look, or the laughter floating through the Art Gallery as students roll up their sleeves and dive into paint, string, and sketches. Whatever it is, Art Day 2025 reminded us all just how powerful creativity can be, especially when it is shared.
This year’s theme was ‘Burst’, a celebration of energy, colour, imagination and joy. And that is precisely what we saw in the Mercy Gallery
A Day to Create, Connect & Have Fun
The day was packed with hands-on activities that invited every student to get involved. Some made friendship bracelets, while others tried their hand at paint pouring, always a crowd favourite. There were live caricature sketches that drew some giggles (and maybe a few impressive likenesses), and the highlight for many: a giant collaborative mural bursting with colour and personality.
The mural featured a rainbow theme and was designed so every student could contribute a piece. It was not about being perfect but being part of something bigger. And it worked. The result? A vibrant visual symbol of our community’s creativity, individuality and unity.
"This Is Why We Do It"
Lesley Nation, Head of Visual Arts, summed it up perfectly:
“Art Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the creativity, imagination and individuality of our students. It reminds us that art plays a vital role in education, it helps students express themselves, build confidence, and explore ideas in ways that words sometimes can’t.”
“It’s also great seeing staff and students come together through shared creative experiences.”
Year 12s Bring the Spirit
One of the most memorable parts of the day for Lesley, was “watching our Year 12 Art & Design students, who came dressed as their favourite artists and spent time with our younger Years 5 and 6 students.”
It was more than just fun dress-ups. It was a beautiful moment of connection between the youngest and oldest students at the College: different generations with the same love of creativity.
This year’s Art Captain, Margaux, played a key role in bringing the day to life. She created the theme ‘Burst‘ and led the planning of the activities with energy, thoughtfulness, and passion. Margaux truly led from the front and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help deliver a joyful and vibrant celebration of the arts across the school community.
Margaux shared, “This year we directed special attention towards the engagement between younger and older girls, orchestrating room for them to be inspired and guided by their older peers’ creativity, leadership, and encouragement. It was a huge success and a fantastic day.”
We are excited to share the winners of the photo competition below.
Year 5
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8 / 9
Year 10/11
Esther & Hannah
Hannah & Kathryn
Ivy, Camilla, Milla & Amelie
Justine & Annabel
Chloe, Summer & Eve
Why It Matters
Art Day is about giving students a chance to try something new, take creative risks, and celebrate who they are. It’s about connection, confidence, and colour, lots of it.
Most of all, it reminds us that creativity is for everyone. Whether painting, sketching, pouring, or simply watching others create, there is a place for everyone in our creative community.
- ArtDay2025, ArtsinEducation, Featured, SantaMariaCollege, StudentCreativity, StudentLife, VisualArt, VisualArtsSantaMaria
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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