Best in show: Ravenswood artists showcased

The meeting rooms at the Synod offices in Pitt Street are playing host to imaginative and creative artworks. The visual art students’ from Ravenswood School for Girls will be showcasing their HSC major works in an exhibition that will inspire.

“Ravenswood has a proud tradition of excellence in visual arts, which is reflected in the consistently outstanding results for the Higher School Certificate Visual Arts students and for the International Baccalaureate,” said Visual Arts Coordinator Edwina Palmer of the Visual Arts Programme at Ravenswood.

Ravenswood girls are encouraged from a young age to engage in creative problem solving, conceptual thinking and self-expression. They are supported by a curriculum that focuses on strong technical skill development and critical investigation. Students are extended on an individual basis and also have the option of after school specialist classes or working in the studios with their teachers.

“The girls are taught by outstanding visual arts teachers who have deep understanding of traditional and contemporary practice,” says Ms Palmer. “Many of the works on display at the Synod Offices were nominated for ARTEXPRESS and reflect the diverse studio practices offered.”

An outstanding selection of HSC major works from 2010 to 2013 have livened up the walls in the main seating area of reception and meeting rooms three, four and six on level two in the Synod Offices. Artworks were hung last month with the help of staff, John Oldmeadow, Director of School’s Ministry from Uniting Mission and Education (who coordinated with the school to facilitate the project) and Ms Sussie Heymans, Visual Art Assistant from Ravenswood.

Ravenswood has enjoyed success for many years with ARTEXPRESS.

In 2011 there were 16 nominations from a cohort of 37 visual arts students, 17 nominations in 2010 from a cohort of 34 visual arts students, 13 nominations in 2009 from a cohort of 31 visual arts students, and in 2008 Ravenswood topped the state in visual arts and also had 23 nominations from a cohort of 30 visual arts students.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the girls to have their artwork seen and enjoyed in a different, more corporate context,” said Ms Heymans (pictured) of the project.

The students who have work currently on display are Marietta Abignano, Lucy Williams, Rebekah McKenzie, Isobel Lawrence, Nina Harriot, Kaitlin Polkinghorne and
Vicki Ng.

The vibrant artworks are in a variety of mixed media and will be showcased in the meeting rooms and rotated so that other students have the opportunity to have their work hung and appreciated in a different context.