The 2024 exhibition theme encourages young artists aged 12-25 who live, work, or study within the Surf Coast Shire to explore and express their sense of identity and place through various art forms and styles.
Cr Mike Bodsworth said, "Each piece of art will uniquely respond to the theme, offering insight into the experiences and perspectives of our young people."
"This youth art exhibition serves as a wonderful platform for creative expression, enabling young artists to share their thoughts, emotions, and ideas through their art," he said.
"The Youth Fest Art Exhibition also teaches young artists how to present their work professionally, which is crucial for their artistic growth."
One of the entrants is 15-year-old Frazey Horsburgh-White, who has taken inspiration from the acclaimed Felicia Chiao to create an emotional and thought-provoking multi-media artwork. The piece is a complex blend of foam core board, wood, resin, paper, and oven-baked clay.
Frazey enjoys working with various mediums and shares her motivation behind the artwork, and explained, "this project was a way of incorporating the different skills I've picked up. Each of the materials and textures play a role in telling the story I wanted to express."
"My artwork is a reflection of the emotions many of us experience, but often struggle to articulate," Frazey said. "I wanted to visually explore those feelings of being overwhelmed and then finding a way through to something brighter."
"This artwork shows the level of art ability the community can expect to see at Youth Fest 2024," concluded Cr Mike Bodsworth.
The Youth Fest Art Exhibition will be open to the public September 1-15 from 11am-4pm at the Anglesea Art Space, Shop 2, 103 Great Ocean Road Anglesea (corner of Noble Street).
The exhibition is part of the Vic Youth Fest supported by the Office for Youth, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
