Student artworks a main attraction

Guyra Central School students have been celebrated for their outstanding artworks to feature in an upgrade of their town’s main street.

A ceremony was held as part of last Thursday’s Armidale Regional Council meeting, to present students Bronte Stanley, Rogue Stannard and Colleen Pearson with certificates of recognition for their artworks submitted to the Guyra Main Street Redevelopment Public Art Competition.

Group certificates were also awarded to Guyra Central School students for their combined artworks.

The certificates were presented by the Chair of Council’s Arts & Cultural Advisory Committee, Councillor Margaret O’Connor, who said the judging panel was thrilled by the quality and creativity of entries.

“Council is hoping to work with a public artist to transform the artworks into public art designs to be incorporated into new infrastructure for the main street redevelopment,” Cr O’Connor said.

“The project is also an opportunity for senior students to learn the principles of creating public art. Local artists Brian Irving and Kay Smith provided valuable mentoring support for the students." 

Central school students worked on their designs over two terms, under the guidance of art teacher Clea Townsend and Principal Michelle Nicholson.

The senior students created designs of two local iconic animals, the echidna and cockatoo, to be incorporated into footpath pavers.

A combined work by the primary school students will be utilised for a stained glass window graphic and will wrap around new street bins.

Museum & Cultural Projects Officer Hayley Ward said: “Bronte received an individual certificate for her magpie illustration, while Rogue was recognised for his cockatoo design. It is proposed their designs will be used for murals on a new bus shelter, street shop or public toilets.

“Colleen’s wonderful selection of photographs will be used in a collage graphic to wrap around street bins.

“It’s wonderful to see the beginnings of a public art trail in Guyra.”

Published on 30 Oct 2018