Visual Arts Faculty

From the Co-ordinator of Visual Arts

Celebrating Year 12 2025 Achievement

Two of our Year 12 Visual Arts students have achieved remarkable recognition this year. Jay’s Body of Work in Photo media ‘Memento,’ was selected for the Manly Gallery ‘Out Front’ exhibition, highlighting twenty-one outstanding Visual Arts Bodies of Works from schools across the Northern Beaches that offer a powerful glimpse into the themes shaping young people’s lives today. Jay’s work is on exhibition at Manly Gallery until 5th April 2026.

Ella’s Body of Work, Expressive Form Drawing, titled ‘Drowning in my ‘Sunburnt Country’ was selected for ARTEXPRESS and is currently exhibited at Hazelhurst Gallery in Gymea alongside fifty other students works, an extraordinary honour, with around 9,000 students submitting Bodies of Work statewide, 498 nominated, and only 250 selected for Art Express. Ella’s Body of work is on exhibition at the Hazelhurst Gallery 782 Kingsway, Gymea NSW 2227 until the 13th of April 2026.

I had the pleasure of attending the opening of both exhibitions Friday and Saturday evenings, celebrating these talented students, and sharing the moment with their proud families. A wonderful achievement and a testament to their creativity, dedication, and hard work. I also look forward to seeing Tanisha’s Body of Work also selected for Art Express at the Hawkesbury Gallery later this year, another wonderful achievement. 

HICES Opportunity for Photography and Digital Media Students

Camp Dates: Sunday 16 August to Wednesday 19 August 2026

The HICES Music Festival brings together over four hundred musicians from across HICES schools in New South Wales. This year they are looking for students from Years 9 to 11 who would be interested in attending the HICES Music Festival to capture the experience on video and through photos. They would be expected to work with HICES Camp Festival Managers and Co-ordinator of Video/Photography during the camp and Festival rehearsal day, to produce a video and series of photos that may be screened at the Festival Concert at the Sydney Town Hall and used in future promotions of the Music Festival. Students must have previous experience using photographic and video equipment. The cost is $680. For further information please see either Ms Wenman, Mr Hardy or Mrs Fechner in the cottage.

Year 11 Visual Arts’ Studio Intensive Program - Applications Open

A reminder to all Year 11 Visual Arts students to submit their applications for the National Art School Studio Intensive. This program is a fantastic chance for students who are serious about developing their artistic skills for the HSC and beyond. Endorsed by NESA, the HSC Intensive has been running since 2000 and is open to students from both government and non‑government schools.

What makes this program stand out is that it is taught by practising artists who understand the industry and what it takes to excel. Students will work in professional studio spaces, strengthen their technical abilities, and build a strong art portfolio. It is also a wonderful way to connect with other creative students from across NSW. The dates for the 2026 HSC program are:

Module 1: Tuesday 14 to  Friday 17 July 2026 

Module 2: Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October 2026

More information is available on the NAS website, and a handout has been provided in class. The cost is $475. Students Visual Arts teacher will need to endorse their application. Applications for the HSC Intensive Studio Practice program are now open. Applications close 2 April 2026. Applicants will be informed of the result of their application at the end of May 2026.

HSC Intensive Studio Practice - National Art School

Swimming Carnival Photographers

A huge thank you to the Years 9 and 10 Photography and Digital Media students Joshua, Harli, Fergus, Rocco and Edie, Leila and May who volunteered to photograph both the College and Grammar swimming carnivals. These students stepped outside their comfort zones and took on a real‑world photography challenge, capturing outstanding images that highlighted the energy, action, and spirit of each event. Their initiative and professionalism made a significant contribution to the day, and we are incredibly grateful for their efforts. We are always looking for Photography and Digital media students in both Years 9 and 10 to volunteer their time to capture school events please look out for emails from Ms Wenman for future opportunities.