Two students, Emma Galley and Gemma Handley, had their HSC works chosen for Art Express while a third, Maddi Alderdice, was nominated and also finished with band 6s in visual arts and design and technology.

St John’s creative arts co-ordinator Kirk Watts said it was a fantastic achievement to have three students nominated.

“That’s as many as we have had from one year. We had three once before but to do that and have nine band 6s in the course is great,” he said.

“Being nominated is the big accolade. That’s the Board of Studies saying your work is of a particular standard. From there is is subjective and they are choosing something that will work in their gallery.”

Emma’s year 12 major work will appear in the regional gallery at Albury before getting displayed in the Art Express gallery at the Western Plains Cultural Centre next year.

“Emma did a work about her family and three generations on the land and the way there is pressure to stay on the land and pass from generation to generation,” Mr Watts said. 

“She did a work that resembled the evolution of man but it was her grandfather through her father to her brother.”

Gemma’s work will be displayed at The Armoury at Sydney Olympic Park, a big accolade for the student according to Mr Watts, before also returning to Dubbo for exhibition.

“Gemma made hers about her relationship with her mother and the way that works. That was quite a personal piece and it was good both artworks explored that theme,” he said.

Maddi said she was pleased to be nominated for Art Express and she was also excited about her results. She finished with 95 in creative arts and 92 in design and technology.

Maddi found herself in the unusual position of being taught by her father in design and technology

“Dad was my teacher and he helped me get through it. I enjoyed it a lot,” she said.

“It was a bit different [with him as my teacher]. In year 11 I was the only girl in the class but in year 12 we had a few more girls.  He treated me as one of the kids but I still called him dad.”