General News
17 June, 2025
Avoca student exhibits art
Avoca’s Gallery 127 is hosting the work of an up and coming talent, a local primary school student who’s found a passion in digital art.
At just 11-years-old Avoca Primary School student Laura Absalom-Frenks has a piece of her work displayed in the local art gallery.
Not only is she the first person of her age to have her own exhibit in Gallery 127 but she may be the first to display digital art of its kind there too.
Avoca Primary School art teacher Suzanne Blackie said her student has not only found something she’s good at but a passion.
“When you’re a teacher and you see a child with talent you really want to make them realise that anything is possible,” she said.
Supported by her art teacher, alongside the school and Gallery 127, Ms Absalom-Frenks created ‘Kitsune in the Moonlight’ over 21 hours.
The work is in an anime style, a form originating in Japan, completed in a digital medium.
“It’s a wonderful achievement for a young student. I’m really proud of her,” Ms Blackie said.
“When you’ve got people to support and push you anything is possible.”
Ms Blackie encourages the community to look around them and support the aspirations of people in their lives — especially young people.
“If there’s someone out there happy to support you, to push you along, you should take that opportunity and fly with it,” she said.
Gallery 127’s own Hugh Forster is proud to be able to showcase local talent — although Ms Absalom-Frenks left an impression on him.
“Not only is she creative but she’s prepared to spend the time to finish the creation,” he said.
Mr Forster believes the gallery plays an important role in the community — particularly offering an opportunity for locals that might not exist otherwise.
“The purpose of the gallery is to promote, foster, and provide an avenue to develop their creative talent,” he said.
“[Children] are our future.”
Pride in the Avoca community and their willingness to support each other — that seems to be the sentiment shared by Mr Forster and Ms Blackie.
“We’re just so lucky in Avoca that we’ve got a community that supports young people, not just in sport, but in art,” Ms Blackie said.