In spite of another year of Covid interruptions, our senior art students demonstrated our school value of resilience once again by getting their mahi toi finished in time to showcase their portfolios in the annual UHC Senior Art Exhibition. Head of Art Rachel Clark tells us about the artistic talent on display.

This year there was a wonderful celebration of student success and triumph over adversity once again.

As part of this event, staff and whānau are invited to participate in the People’s Choice Award where they can vote for their favourite art portfolio from across all three senior year levels.

The votes were counted and students were awarded 1st, 2nd and equal 3rd place, with each winner taking home a prize pack of new art materials.

Year 12 Painting and Design student Basil Vasina won first place in People’s Choice. Congratulations Basil, a strong effort to complete two Level 2 portfolio boards this year.

In second place for People’s Choice, was Year 11 student Phoebe Cawthra whose art inquiry documented a recent, personal journey as well as some stunning portraiture painting, well done Phoebe.

And in third equal place were Year 11 students Ellie Cowley and Devin Carr. Ellie created a stunning portfolio inspired by her much-loved grandmother. Ellie was also placed 3rd in Class overall for Year 11 Art. Devin created a visual exploration of the impact of COVID on her life as a student, Devin was awarded 1st Equal in Year 11 Art and was the 2022 recipient of the Nicolas Lowe Cup for Year 11 Visual Arts.

Congratulations to all of our senior art students on your success in your chosen Visual Arts field, all the best for 2023.

Thank you for coming to the Art exhibition yesterday and placing your votes for your favourite folio board. We had a solid turn out of whanau too.

Thanks to Zondree Pierre and Babette Higgins for sorting through the 200+ voting papers revealing our winners:

• 1st - Basil Vasina Yr12 Painting (almost double the votes of second place winner!)
• 2nd - Phoebe Cawthra Yr 11 Art
• 3rd equal - Ellie Cowley & Devin Carr both Yr 11 Art 

Each winner will receive an art pack shortly.