Visual Arts at St John's

St John's Art Show 22 October 2026

IT IS OUR GREAT PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE, THAT OUR 

‘COLOURS OF AUSTRALIA’ ART SHOW

WILL BE HAPPENING on 22 OCTOBER!

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Get ready to pack your bags and journey across our stunning continent! We are absolutely thrilled to officially announce the theme for our upcoming exhibition: 'Colours of Australia'. Held only once every two years, our spectacular Biennial Art Show will take place on 22 October, transforming both upstairs and downstairs spaces across Durkin Hall and the Coglan Centre into a carefully curated  gallery.

Our Theme & Creative Concept

Taking inspiration from our beautiful country, Australia, our students are spending this year travelling through our unique states and territories. Through their artwork, they are exploring diverse natural landscapes, popular landmarks, native animals and vibrant flora.

Along the way, our classes are responding to a rich tapestry of iconic Australian artists, using their distinct styles to inspire their own masterpieces. 

Throughout the year, our students are studying an incredible lineup of talent, including:

• John Brack, Del Kathryn Barton, Sally Soweol Han, Ken Done, Pete Cromer, Kayleen Whiskey, Rebecca Cool, Jordan Sprigg, Bronwyn Bancroft, Sidney Nolan, Anna Blatman, Wendy Binks, Kerri Blades, and Philip Bunting.

A Sneak Peek at What Our Classes have already Created:

• Prep: Whimsical Anna Blatman collages, shimmering Ken Done fish, and intricate full-body portraits celebrating community identity.
• Year 1/2: Fun, whimsical 2D and 3D artwork inspired by the storytelling style of Rebecca Cool, alongside incredible, vibrant wildlife creations inspired by Pete Cromer.
• Year 3/4: Brilliant, structured self-portraits inspired by John Brack, paired with colourful and creative 2D paintings and 3D clay reef creations inspired by Ken Done.
• Year 5/6: Mesmerising, highly detailed self-portraits inspired by Del Kathryn Barton, incredible mixed-media landscapes, and magical miniature landscapes sculpted and painted entirely with plasticine.

Event Details:

• 📅 When: October 22nd, 2026
• 📍 Where: Durkin Hall & The Coglan Centre (Upstairs & Downstairs)

Sponsor Our Show, Donate Prizes

An exhibition of this scale thrives on the strength of our community. We are actively looking for local businesses, families, and individuals to partner with us:

1. Sponsorship & Prize Donations: If you or your business would like to sponsor our gallery setup or donate items/gift vouchers for our major Art Show Raffle, please get in touch. 
2. All sponsors will be proudly featured in our event program, newsletter and venue signage.
3. If you can help with sponsorship please reach out directly to Beth at bneason@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

Join the Magic Art Show Committee! ✨

Join the Art Show Committee: 

We are forming a dedicated team to help plan the layout, curate the spaces, and design the opening night magic. If you want to collaborate and share creative ideas, we would love to have you!

If you can help with volunteering or want to join the committee, please fill out our Google Form Support Sign-Up or reach out directly to Beth at bneason@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

We cannot wait to share the 'Colours of Australia' with you!

Warm regards,

Beth Neason, The Art Department bneason@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

St John’s Mitcham