To celebrate the canonisation of Blessed Mary MacKillop in October, Catholic Education Sandhurst has inaugurated the MacKillop Art Exhibition. The exhibition, an exciting joint venture with Monsignor Marriott and the Sacred Heart Cathedral community, is poised to become an annual event for the Sandhurst Diocese.
Preceding the MacKillop Art Exhibition, an artist in residence program will take place in schools. The program is aimed at providing students with the skills and techniques to express themselves creatively under the guidance of a professional artist. The program commenced at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Numurkah recently with renowned Australian watercolourist, Mr Terry Jarvis.
It was fitting that the program should commence at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Numurkah as it was the first Josephite school established by Blessed Mary MacKillop in Victoria. Students from St Joseph’s were asked to draw inspiration for their paintings from the words and actions of Blessed Mary MacKillop whilst exploring the Catholic Education theme for 2010, “Called to bring hope”.
Bendigo based artist Terry Jarvis is a major award winner whose work hangs in collections in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Japan, U.K., U.S.A., Indonesia, Finland, and many other countries around the World. Mr Jarvis is one of Australia’s most sought after Artists, particularly in the field of watercolour.
Mr Jarvis said he was honoured to take part in the program. “I was amazed at how much the children know about Mary MacKillop and the pride the students have in the unique history of their school. It is great to be involved in this wonderful art initiative.”
Deputy Director Ms Phil Billington said that the Diocese of Sandhurst has a strong commitment to the Arts. “This Artist in Residence Program and the MacKillop Exhibition is a dream come true” said Ms Billington. “Monsignor, Terry and I have been discussing ways in which to engage students more with our Catholic story and with our wonderful Cathedral and the Arts – the MacKillop Exhibition is a gift to us all.”
“We are thrilled to have Terry Jarvis giving so generously of his time and talent. The beginning in Numurkah was just wonderful – Mary would have been proud. The exhibition has been approved and applauded by the Sisters of St Joseph” said Ms Billington.
During Mr Jarvis’ time at each participating school he will complete two paintings, one for the MacKillop Exhibition and a second one which will be displayed locally or raffled to raise funds for the school and parish. Individual schools will also be able to stage their own art exhibition featuring work completed during the program.
The MacKillop Art Exhibition will be launched in Bendigo on October 8th 2010 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral before travelling to Shepparton, Wangaratta and Wodonga.