Visual Arts

This year, we continue to encourage our students to participate in a range of external courses, competitions and prizes to share and showcase the significant skills they are learning in Visual Arts. Over the past couple of years, we have had Imogen Zimmerle (Year 12)  selected to exhibit in the Young Archies (the Youth Section of the Archibald Prize), Aurelia Cortese (Year 12) selected to exhibit in the Waverley Landscape Prize, Jade Brennan (Class of 2024) selected for the Australian Time Life Photography Prize and over 15 students from 7 to 12 selected for the Woollahra Short Film and Photography Prize with Bianca Rosza (Class of 2024) winning the Film section in 2024. Below are some opportunities we encourage students to consider:

HSC Intensive Studio Practice at the National Art School: Applications open 

Applications are now open for the National Art School HSC Intensive Studio Practice Course for Year 11 students. 

The NAS HSC Intensive Studio Practice Course is a significant opportunity for students who are deeply passionate about art and want to extend their skills or experience in the Art School setting.

To apply for the course, NAS needs students to: 

• Reflect high achievement in their Preliminary Visual Arts Course
• Talk a bit about why they want to participate in the HSC Intensive. 
• Submit a portfolio of four images. 
• Have an endorsement from their Visual Arts teacher. 

Students can apply to do workshops in:

Black and White Photography, Ceramics, Digital Photography, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture

After having a chat with their art teacher: Apply here.

The dates for the 2025 HSC program are:

Cost is $450 which covers all materials and tuition.

Applications close Friday 11 April 2025

We had 3 SCEGGS girls accepted last year so we encourage you to talk to your Visual Arts Teacher and get involved! 

Join the 2025 IAMA Youth Art Contest

The International Art Museum of America (IAMA) proudly announces the 2025 Youth Art Contest, inviting young artists aged 5-18 to share their work on a global stage.

This Contest is for two-dimensional artworks, including paintings in various media, oil,  acrylic, watercolour, drawing, etching, calligraphy, and block printing.

It offers an incredible opportunity for global recognition, winners will be awarded certificates and cash prizes, and participants advancing to the second round will have their work exhibited at IAMA’s Grand Exhibition Hall. Moreover, exclusive sessions with the Chairman of the Jury Committee, Professor Adam Caldwell of the San Francisco Academy of Art University, will provide invaluable insights to enhance their skills.

Mark your calendars, as the first-round submission deadline is Tuesday April 15 2025. The exhibition will take place from July 12-20, 2025 with the presentation of prizes on Sunday July 13 2025. In 2025, IAMA is thrilled to announce that we will be offering an array of additional prizes, recognizing and celebrating the work of  young artists.

You can register here.

Waverly Youth Art Prize

The Waverley Youth Art Prize is open to young people aged between 9 and 18 who are living, studying and playing in Sydney’s East. Each year, artists are asked to respond to a theme, with broad interpretation of this theme encouraged. Entrants may utilise ideas relating to popular culture, science fiction, sustainability or something else. All mediums and interpretations are welcome.

There are multiple prize categories, and the work of finalists is exhibited at the Waverley Library Galleries.

In 2025 the Waverley Youth Art Prize turns 40. To celebrate this milestone, the Waverley Youth Art Prize for 2025 is themed ‘Celebration Time’. Artists are invited to interpret the theme in a unique manner.

Applications must be submitted through an online portal. This external link will open in a new window and delivered to Waverley Library by 5pm on Friday 23 May 2025. View terms and conditions here.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Waverley Youth Art Prize newsletter for updates!

The Art Department would love to hear from students who enter these and any other prizes or exhibitions!  

Banner Acknowledgement: This week’s banner is one of Aurelia’s Cortese’s work completed as part of the NAS HSC Studio Intensive in 2024.

Heidi Jackson
Head of Visual Arts