Celebrating Creative Excellence – A Night Under the Stars
As our Year 12 students prepare to graduate and embark on the next phase of their lives, we gathered last night to honour their creative journeys at the Graduation Art Exhibition, ‘A Night Under the Stars’. This event was a celebration of the remarkable talents of our Visual Art, Design, and Materials Design & Technology students. Each of these young women has demonstrated extraordinary dedication, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary through their art.
Visual Arts Captain Address
The evening began with an inspiring address from our 2024 Visual Arts Captain, Olivia, who addressed the audience of proud families, friends, staff, and peers. Reflecting on the nurturing environment of the Art Department, she praised her fellow students for their commitment and creativity. Olivia extended heartfelt thanks to the dedicated Art staff for their guidance and mentorship and warmly congratulated the incoming Visual Arts Captain, Margaux, wishing her all the best in her leadership role.
“The theme for tonight’s show, ‘A Night Under the Stars’, is a subtle homage to the great Vincent Van Gogh,” Olivia explained. “We want to celebrate how brightly each of these girls has shone over the past six years. With newfound creative freedom, the ability to express ourselves through individual works, and incredible opportunities like the Melbourne and Sydney Art tour, it has been an unforgettable journey. I am beyond grateful to the Art staff, and I’m filled with pride watching my peers grow into such talented artists.”
A Night of Celebration, Creativity & Joy
Lesley Nation, Head of Visual Arts, expressed her deep admiration for the students and their achievements: “I couldn’t be prouder of the incredible talent on display tonight. Each piece reflects a unique perspective, and every student beamed with pride. Seeing their families and friends share that joy is a testament to the support and encouragement these girls have received throughout their creative journey. It was a night of celebration, creativity, and pure joy.”
Principal’s Acquisition Award
The evening also saw Principal Jennifer Oaten present the prestigious Principal’s Acquisition Award, now in its second year. Ava, a standout student, was the talented recipient for her work titled ‘Taking Charge’. Ava’s artwork explores the generational impact on the environment, combining powerful visual storytelling with thought-provoking commentary on the consequences of human waste.
In her artist notes, Ava explains: “Through recycled materials and vibrant imagery, I aim to encourage reflection on the lasting effects of waste, not just on the environment but on our collective psyche.”
Using a recycled surfboard and rubbish collected from the beach, Ava depicts a young girl collecting rubbish in today’s era, while others show pure enjoyment of the beach in earlier years. Ava has cleverly linked them together through the use of the colour red.
A Night Under the Stars Graduation Art Show was a fitting conclusion to the artistic journey these students have taken at Santa Maria College. It beautifully showcased their creativity, hard work, and the strong sense of community that has helped them thrive. We are immensely proud of our Year 12 graduates and cannot wait to see where their talent and determination take them in the future.
- ArtExhibition, Creativity, Featured, GraduationArtShow, PrincipalsAcquisitionAward, VisualArts, Year12
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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