A local Mackay student was honoured at last night's Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) Excellence in Art and Design Awards.
Ernestine Hankin from Kutta Mulla Gorinna School in Mackay was recognised with an Award of Excellence in the First Nations category for her artwork, titled Leaving the Nest.
Art and Design Awards reviewer Donna Hensen said Ernestine's piece stood out.
"The piece contains amazing representation of the difficulties of growing up and navigating others," Donna said.
The annual Art Awards were established in 1994 to promote and encourage artistic students and celebrate their flair for creativity.
A First Nations category was introduced in 2017 to provides specific recognition to First Nations entrants and their custodianship of the land.
At last night's presentation, held at the Queensland Multicultural Centre in Brisbane, Awardees' artworks were displayed in an exhibition and recipients were presented with certificates and a cash prize.
IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the reviewers were wowed by the quality of the over 600 submissions across all age groups in response to the 2024 theme of 'Growing Up'.
"The reviewers commented on the high standard of entries and the varied and creative interpretations that entrants brought to this year's theme," Mr Burke said.
"Our union established the Awards to promote and encourage artistic students and celebrate their flair for creativity.
"Art is a very important area of learning in schools, and IEU-QNT is proud to support the artistic talent of students and staff in the Queensland and Northern Territory non-government sector," he said.
