Student Artwork Displayed In Regional Gallery

The Operation Art Touring 50 Exhibition is coming to town, arriving at Griffith Regional Art Gallery today, Friday, August 8.

The exhibition, featuring artworks created by students from kindergarten to Year 10, will be officially at 6 pm by Griffith Mayor, Doug Curran, and will remain on public display until September 15.

The 50 finalists were selected from more than 700 artworks entered who the 2023 Operation Art Exhibition, created by students from 221 NSW schools for kids in hospital.

Gallery Coordinator, Ray Wholohan said the gallery loved having Operation Art visit Griffith.

“It’s so great to see the work of talented young people from across the state, and to know that these works will live on in the Children’s Hospital is very heart-warming,” Mr Wholohan said.

“We’re particularly excited that this year’s extension features work from local students.

“This year’s exhibition features works from Scarlet and Eli Crossley and Lily and Dusty Plum from Booligal Public School.

“Other regional young people featured include Annabelle Deacon from Lake Albert, Jacob Gultz from Binalong and Andrew Hathaway from Gunnedah.

“We encourage art lovers young and old to come to the gallery to view these selected artworks.”

The exhibition is part of a statewide tour around regional art galleries, before the artworks become part of the permanent art collection at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

Operation Art Project Officer at the NSW Department of Education’s Art Project Officer at the NSW Department of Education’s Art Unit, Heidi Windeisen said the exhibition was not only a chance to showcase the array of talent in NSW Schools but also to shine a light on how art can be transformative for children in difficult times.

“Operation Art gives students a real purpose for their artmaking,” Ms Windeisen said.

“It shows them how art can help to foster a healing environment and encourages a spirit of generosity by creating something special for somebody else.

“This exhibition shows students that their contribution to the arts is equally as important as the artwork of world-renowned artists.

“Art is for everyone.”

The Gallery’s Public Programs Officer, Melanie Toscan will welcome young creatives to be involved with this exhibition while it’s showing.

“Local primary school students will have the opportunity to spend a whole day making, creating and learning new visual arts skills,” Ms Toscan said.

“Workshops will cover a variety of different topic areas including drawing, painting, printing, mixed media and sculpture.”

A selection of artworks from Operation Artbank will also be donated to Griffith Base Hospital.

Artworks by students local to the area will be presented to Ms Toscal at Murrumbidgee Local Health District for permanent display at the hospital.

Operation Art is an initiative of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in association with the Department of Education and supported by the Art Gallery of NSW, encouraging NSW school students from kindergarten to Year 10 to create artworks for children in hospital.

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• Arts and Media