14-year-old Holly Clarke stole the hearts of judges at the Cooktown School of Art Society Youth Exhibition. Photo: Supplied.
Opportunities for Cape kids can often adopt a sport focus, but a Cooktown gallery is making sure budding young artists get their chance to blossom.
Cooktown School of Art Society’s (CSAS) second youth exhibition opened at the Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery earlier this month, bringing together the works of young artists aged 7-18, who painted their favourite book characters, or created their own characters.
The overall winner was 14-year-old Holly Clarke, who painted an “elf girl riding a unicorn through a magical forest filled with elves and fairies”.
“I was inspired to paint this, because it seemed to match the theme so well, and it was fun being able to add in all the little, funny details into the painting,” she said.
Although Holly has now participated in four Cooktown exhibitions and won the RAW Exhibition People’s Choice Award earlier this year, she remained humble about her recent win.
“When they announced me as the youth exhibition overall winner, I was shocked, because there were so many good paintings, and when they said my name, I was super happy and surprised,” she said.
“I think my art has improved a lot in the last three years, and has grown from drawing to painting, realistic people and animals, to landscapes and other different things.
“This win has encouraged me to keep working at my art, because it is always nice to see people smile at my work, and know that they enjoy looking at it.”
CSAS president Jane Dennis said exhibitions such as this helped to harness raw talent and passion in the region, encouraging artists who would not otherwise get a chance to showcase their work.
“It’s just sort of taking away the fear of exhibiting, and the kids were just so genuine in their response,” she said.
“This isn’t schoolwork; these are kids who go home and work on little ideas they have, so I guess I’m trying to nurture the true artists.
“All the kids had their friends and families there, so it’s sort of a confirmation, especially for arts, because arts is not considered as serious as sport, but art is very valid.”
