Avcol artists impress at Trusts Exhibition

Amadeia with "Ocean Eyes"

Three Avondale College students had their work chosen out of 600 entries to be displayed at The Trusts 38th Art Exhibition this month, with Amadeia D'Souza taking out the top honours in her age group for her painting "Ocean Eyes."

Amadeia (Year 10) first heard about the competition through the College's Daily News bulletin. She decided to submit a piece she completed for her Year 10 Art assignment, which required students to paint a portrait of someone famous. She chose her favourite artist, Billie Eilish, naming the piece after one of her most iconic songs.

She began the work with a rough pencil sketch and then layered acrylic paints until she was satisfied with the result.

On awards night, surrounded by incredible entries, she didn’t expect to place—let alone win: “The level of work was out of this world. When they finally called me up as first, I didn’t even realise until my mum shook me and hugged me—I was so shocked but also so happy.”

Her win came with a $500 prize, which Amadeia plans to save for her future in arts education.

Natalie French (Year 11) and Maisy Wilson (Year 13) were also selected as finalists for their respective works "Misty Ascent" and "Fish Soup".

Natalie French's "Misty Ascent"

Maisy Wilson's "Fish Soup"