Art and Design Show Inspirational and Aspirational

Published: Monday, 29 October 2012

Diversity, excellence and outstanding standards of work were amongst the overwelmingly positive responses by visitors to the 2012 Mentone Grammar Art and Design Exhibition.

View the Photo Gallery

The official opening on Thursday night saw around 200 people pack into the Drama Studio to see the unveiling of the exhibition, which included hundreds of works by students from Years 5-12 in digital photography, mixed media, painting, ceramics, visual communication design, sculpture, printmaking, textiles, interactive digital media, woodwork and drawing. 

While enjoying delicious canapes and refreshments, the visitors were able to take in the enormous range of work by our talented students. Special guest speaker, Mr Jack Room (member of the Australian Academy of Design Senate, Deputy Director of Marketing, Australian Academy of Design Dip of Art & Design (RMIT) Member, Founding Partner and ex Executive Creative Director, BADJAR advertising), commented that he was "overwhelmed by the diversity of the work on display, and that it was a particularly inspirational and aspirational show". Jack also complimented several individual student artworks and was very impressed by the entire exhibition.

A student from each level was presented with a Paintbrush Award, recognising their achievements in and commitment to their art studies, together with the announcement of the Old Mentonians' Acquisition Award recipient, Erin Callaghan, VCE Art student.

VCE Student Kelsey Cotton made a moving and thoughtful speech about her time at Mentone Grammar and the inspiration and support from teachers she has received particularly in the area of the Arts.

According to Robyn Fuerst, Visual Arts Coordinator, other highlights included:

• There were many weekend visitors
• Eblana junior school students came over in their droves and thoroughly enjoyed the show with lots of questions
• Several 3D works were selected for the AISV art show for 2013
• In terms of the 'learning village' at MG it was great to see that Mr Laz Moutafis brought his year 11 Physics class to see the art show and discuss their current topic of Colour.
• Many staff from other faculties brought their classes to see the work on show.
• School Tours groups visited the art show
• Many many comments on the incredible diverse curriculum we offer within the Visual Arts alone at MG and the standard of the work getting higher

Congratulations to the students on their standard of art and design and the teachers who inspire and teach them, together with the art department for all their hard work in putting the exhibition together.

Event sponsors

We sincerely thank the following sponsors who are generous supporters of this year's exhibition.

DesignWyse

Deans Art

Thank you also to Ted's Cameras for donating photography vouchers and Thomson Real Estate for donating the promotional signboards on campus.