It’s the art of excellence

Amy Lalanne was rewarded for her hard work.

By Effie Caloutas

Three talented students from Monbulk College’s Studio Arts class of 2016 have had their work chosen for exhibitions in the VCE Season of Excellence.
About 3000 applicants applied for Top Arts, with only 40 getting in to the final event held in the 2017 VCE Season of Excellence at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).
Former student Hayley Watson was honoured as her work ‘Paranoid’ as one of 40 pieces chosen for the final exhibition.
Further to this, her work was also shown as a projected backdrop image accompanying the performance stage in the final event for Top Acts held on Friday 12 May at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
With a passion for photography, Ms Watson says it was great to be honoured in the final event.
“It was a great honour and privilege to be selected to have my work shown in the Top Arts exhibition,” she said.
“It made all the effort and time I put into my folio worthwhile.”
Meanwhile, Amy Lalanne and Josh Starick were also chosen for Top Shots at Monash Gallery of Art (MGA), which, along with Top Arts, is also part of the VCE Season of Excellence.
Amy Lalanne’s photogram was also awarded an Honourable Mention at the opening of the exhibition.
Studying a Diploma of Visual Arts, Mr Starick felt extremely proud to have his work on display at the Top Shots final event.
“I felt very overwhelmed when I was chosen for Top Shots, that my work was chosen to be shown in such an important gallery,” he said.
Studying her first year of Criminal Justice, Ms Lalanne said she was proud of her achievement after the effort she put in to her folios.
“Year 12 is a huge commitment. It takes over so much time both in and outside the classroom,” she said.
“The amount of dedication and effort I put into my artistic developments and exploitations, my artworks, was definitely worth it by getting the opportunity to display my artwork for the public and other students to view and interpret.”