Top Art and school exhibitions motivate Rotorua arts students

John Paul College Year 13 students Piper Monson, Nicole Williams and Sophie McKenzie attend the Rotorua leg of the Top Art 2020 tour. Photo/ Jane Trask. Top_Art_2020.JPG

Rotorua high school arts students have been buzzing with motivation recently after viewing inspiring exhibitions.

Top Art 2020, hosted by the Rotorua Museum, is an annual exhibition displaying some of New Zealand's top secondary school Visual Art portfolios.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) tours the exhibition all over New Zealand.

The last two weeks has been Rotorua's turn and it was open to the public until todayat the Rotorua Library.

As part of the Rotorua leg of the national tour, Rotorua Museum art education co-ordinator Rebecca Moore also collaborated two high-level visual art portfolios from each of the five Rotorua High Schools.

Rebecca is passionate about sharing art opportunities with youth in Rotorua.

Students viewing the exhibition were inspired by the talent and range of mediums used on display from students of similar ages to themselves.

John Paul College students were among local high school students who went to view the artworks on display.

"The Top Art exhibition allows students to see a wide-range of themes and concepts being explored by students across the country," John Paul College Art teacher Claire Worrall says.

"Each board shows how deeply themes can be investigated, when students consider influences from a wide variety of established artists. The technical, conceptual facility is outstanding."

Rachael Linang, Year 13, is studying painting and is the arts captain at John Paul College.

She was impressed that people have used different painting techniques and media for their painting.

"The painting techniques have inspired me".

Caprice Fraser, Year 13, is also studying painting and found the exhibition has challenged her thinking of how she wants to structure and present her folio board.

Nicole Williams, Year 13, is studying photography and while her 2020 theme is still in the planning stages, she is feeling motivated by viewing other students work.

"I think you start to see what is expected and what you need to look at doing."

She finds the different art mediums inspiring and has gathered a few ideas from attending.

John Paul College Photography teacher Bryony Edwards is always working to get that little bit extra out of her students and their work.

She has attended more than 20 years of Top Art annual displays, remembering taking students all the way to Auckland to view it before it became a travelling tour.

"This is the best [level of] photography work I've seen in Top Art ever. It gives me great faith in the NZQA markers."

"It is so cool to have our local school portfolios displayed alongside the travelling Top Art students from around New Zealand.

"What a treat for our students and the public. A huge thanks to Museum staff for facilitating this opportunity."