General News
18 November, 2025
Students’ artworks displayed
Gallery 127 is hosting an Avoca Primary School student exhibition aimed at giving a voice to local young people.
Avoca Primary School students’ artworks are on display in Gallery 127 once again, but more than an exhibition, it’s a chance for local youth to find their voice.
Grade five and six students at Avoca Primary School created digital artworks from photos of everyday objects, with faces drawn digitally, as part of the ‘Out of the Ordinary’ exhibition.
The exhibition runs until December 1 and is inspired by artist Sean Charmatz, who’s known for turning photos of objects into artworks featuring charming characters.
Avoca Community Arts and Gardens president Hugh Forster said he wanted the students to feel empowered by the exhibition.
“It’s their art show. It’s their gallery. It’s their thing for the future,” he said.
“[They’re] part of it and we feel privileged to have [them] as part of it.”
Earlier this month, on November 6, the students came to the gallery for the exhibitions launch.
The experience was much like the galleries other launches, by design, but instead of champagne they had orange juice.
“I just wanted to make them feel … their art is a treasure,” Mr Forster said.
Avoca Primary School art teacher Suzanne Blackie is a long-time advocate for giving youth a voice locally.
She said the exhibition was an opportunity for the students to connect with community, express themselves, and learn new skills.
“The students really value and enjoy the experience,” she said.
So much so, Mr Forster recalls one student coming back with his mum after the exhibition.
“That made my day,” he said.
Ms Blackie said this is the third exhibition the school has had at the gallery.
But one student still sticks out to Mr Forster a year on.
He said one boy asked to speak, in front of all his peers, about how important the exhibition was to him.
“It got me here a bit,” he said pointing to his heart.
“For a kid to do that, whose never talked publicly, we’ve done something here.”