Reeflections Puts Young Artists in the Spotlight

Reeflections Artists with their teachers and Mayor Ry Collins. Photo credit: Zach Houtenville.  

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Young artists from across the Whitsundays are getting their time to shine, with a reef-inspired student exhibition opening at the Heart Hotel during this year's Great Barrier Reef Festival.  

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Featuring 11 artworks created by 10 Year 8 to 12 finalists from Proserpine State High School and St Catherine's College, the exhibition has more than doubled in size since showcasing just four artworks in its inaugural year.  

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Having judged the competition, Mayor Ry Collins attended the exhibition to present the awards and congratulate the young artists.

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“We've got some great kids that do sport and sporting success…. but I think what we're seeing is we've got a real cultural undercurrent,” Mayor Ry Collins said.  

“It's great to see that we've also got a really strong arts presence as well.”

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Three students were recognised for their standout pieces, with Year 12 Proserpine State High School student Natalie Cooper taking first place for Guardians of the Reef.  

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Charlize Hunter, also from Proserpine State High School, claimed second for Woodsia, while St Catherine's Catholic College Year 11 student Sabine Butler placed third with False Idol, a reflection on climate change's impact on the Whitsundays.  

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The finalist artworks will remain on display at Heart Hotel and Gallery Whitsundays throughout August, giving the young artists the opportunity to have their work exhibited in a professional gallery setting.

"I think a lot of kids are just not sure about their ability,” said Visuals Art Teacher St Cats College in Proserpine, Caz Hanks.  

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“Giving them the push and encouragement that their work is actually amazing and worthy of being in a gallery is a great experience."  

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