ArtExpression 2023 : Miss Jen Gair, Curator of the Adelaide Perry Gallery, Guest Speaker, Marikit Santiago, 2023 Art & Design Captain Amelia Rand, & Anna Wang, the 2024 Art & Design Captain.
The annual closing celebration of HSC Visual Arts was held in the Gallery on Thursday, 17 August
Dr Paul Burgis warmly welcomed the crowd to begin the official proceedings, congratulating the students on the achievement of bringing the exhibition to fruition, and speaking in appreciation of parents, family and friends who have supported the girls in their studies this year.
Curator Miss Jen Gair introduced Special Guest Speaker, Western Sydney artist Marikit Santiago, 2020 winner of AGNSW’s prestigious Sulman Prize. She commended the students on their efforts in pursuing Visual Arts as an HSC subject, and on their achievements and high standard of their works. She spoke about her own career choices and a career path that began with completing a Bachelor of Medical Science before pursuing studies and a career in art. On behalf of the College, outgoing Art & Design Captain, Amelia Rand presented Ms Santiago with flowers with gratitude for her participation at the event.
Closing Night Celebrations at ArtExpression 2023.
The event also marked the handover from 2023 Art & Design Captain, Amelia Rand, to 2024 Art & Design Captain Anna Wang. Amelia reflected on the challenges and triumphs of Year 12 Visual Arts and spoke in admiration of the accomplishments of her cohort and of the support from her teachers and The Croydon Staff. Anna presented Amelia with a gift on behalf of The Croydon students and staff in gratitude for the enormous contribution she has made in 2023.
Ms Jo Knight, Head of Visual Arts, then addressed the students and the Gallery visitors. She spoke with pride of the girls’ achievements, dedication and bravery in HSC Visual Arts in 2023. She said it had been an honour for her and Miss Gair to have guided the cohort through HSC level Visual Arts studies.
Ms Knight then presented Certificates for Technical and Aesthetic Excellence in the production of their Visual Arts Body of Work to Emylene Kuoch & Amelia Rand and Certificates for Outstanding Commitment and Dedication in the production of their Visual Arts Body of Work in 2023 to Darcy Gralton & Alyssa Nejasmic. 2022 Art & Design Captain Miss Lara Marassa, who visited the exhibition prior to the event, awarded the Captain’s Choice Award to Dominique de Souza and the annual Mr Paxton Award was presented to Mia Blum.
HSC Visual Art students Darcy Gralton and Dominique de Souza then spoke on behalf of their classes and presented gifts of thanks to Ms Knight and Miss Gair for their support and guidance during the year, bringing the official proceedings for the evening to a close.
Congratulations to all our year 12 Visual Arts students. It was a magnificent exhibition!