YoungY NQ artists score top awards

TWO of North Queensland’s budding young artists have been crowned among the 30 best artists in their age group after winning the 2022 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art.

Abigail Koulakis, from St Patrick’s College in Townsville, and Carli Kite from Gilroy Santa Maria College in Ingham, both took out top gongs for their artworks in the competition.

Education Minister Grace Grace (pictured) said all 30 winners had gone above and beyond in creating their entries.

“The Excellence Awards recognise the incredible talent and dedication shown by Queensland art students,” Ms Grace said.

“This wonderful competition has shone a spotlight on the high standard of visual art education in Queensland secondary schools since 1990, and the standard of entries this year has been fantastic.

“Congratulations to all students who entered, I hope you are encouraged to continue creating and exploring visual art in life after school.

“Thanks also to the teachers and school staff who guide and inspire Queensland’s young artists.

“Students from Queensland schools that offer senior visual art are invited to submit works for the Awards, and this year 30 winners were selected from an impressive pool of 503 entries from 173 schools.

“216 of those entries were from state schools, and 287 were from non-state schools.

“I’m pleased to announce that 56 students received commendations for their work, while another seven received Regional Encouragement Awards.” The 30 winning artworks will now be sent to the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, where an exhibit will go on display featuring all of the winning artworks from April 22, 2023.