“Art is never finished – it simply stops in interesting places.” Paul Gardner  

The 2024 Graduate Art Exhibition was more than just a showcase of final artworks — it was a celebration of resilience, growth and creativity. The exhibition displayed the works of Visual Arts students across the Senior School, and even showcased artworks by Haileybury Rendall School students in Darwin. From carefully crafted wooden products and detailed paintings, to contemporary architectural structures and snappy film masterpieces, the imagination, resourcefulness and ingenuity of Haileybury students never ceases to amaze. On Tuesday, 15 October 2024, Visual Arts Captains Sid (Year 12) and Eve (Year 12) took the stage to officially open the exhibition and share their reflections on the year. 

Sid spoke initially about the space that Haileybury’s Visual Arts department has provided him and his classmates to push boundaries and find their voices. He acknowledged the challenges and moments of doubt that every artist faces, noting that it is often through these challenges that real growth happens. “Art is never a straight path,” he shared. “The creative process teaches us that it’s okay to make mistakes — it’s often in those mistakes where we find the most powerful inspiration.” 

For Sid, this year represented a period of personal and artistic growth. He reflected on the influence of his teachers, particularly Mr Hicks, who has been a constant pillar of support for the class. “His guidance has shaped who I am both as an artist and as a person,” Sid said, expressing gratitude on behalf of all his peers. Sid encouraged attendees to see the artworks not just as finished pieces but as the conclusion to a year-long journey.

Eve echoed these sentiments, adding her own reflections on the hard work that went into the evening’s exhibition. “There have been a lot of late nights, Red Bulls, tears and emotions on the journey to finishing these subjects,” she confessed, “but the opportunity for us to share our work with those we care about made it all worthwhile. It means so much to me, not only as the Art Captain but as an art lover, that you’ve come tonight to celebrate our hard work.” 

Eve also paid tribute to the teachers and technicians who played a pivotal role in supporting the students throughout the year. “For both of my teachers, Mr Hicks and Mr Delmenico, the sky was the limit for what I could do,” she said. She also extended her thanks to the dedicated art and media technicians — Miss Balletta, Mr McCormack and Mr Downward — who were instrumental in helping the students navigate their folio subjects. 

Eve concluded with a final, simple statement “Our time together has been wondrous, and I’m so immensely proud of all of us. Our Friday afternoon classes will be a fond memory in the future.”