upstART 2022

27 November to 11 December 2022

The 18th annual upstART Exhibition and Awards showcases the work of regional students in Stages 5 and 6, encompassing a broad range of styles and subjects. The exhibition includes experimental and creative approaches to painting, ceramics, mixed media, photography and sculpture. This is a “must-see” exhibition presented by the Cowra Regional Art Gallery, in association with high schools in the Central West.  

This year with the generous assistance of the art teachers from ten high schools from across the region the Cowra Regional Art Gallery received over 90 artworks for display. Participating schools are Boorowa Central School, Canowindra High School, Cowra High School, Hennessy Catholic College, The Henry Lawson High School, James Sheahan Catholic High School, Mackillop College, Parkes High School, St Raphael’s Catholic School and St Stanislaus’ College. Also, local businesses Webster Optometrists, Yellow House Cowra and community donors the Gallery Advisory Committee and Friends of the Gallery, the Cowra Art Group Inc and private donor Mr David Henley have assisted with the upstART22 award prizes. 

This year's upstART22 Awards Judge was Tony Dagg, local artist and art educator.   

“This year, students have responded to a wide range of themes using multiple art forms, materials and techniques. In doing so, students have shown both complex and simple approaches in their artmaking practice. Students ventured into themes such as vulnerability, playfulness, acceptance and connectedness. Traditions of landscape, portraiture and beauty remain constant, while contemporary techniques such as digital works continue to grow in popularity. Congratulations to this year’s participating schools, their students and teachers, who in the end help make this exhibition so popular and successful” Tony Dagg, upstART22 Awards Judge.

upstART22 Award Winners

Winner Year 12
Shaylee Fogarty, James Sheahan Catholic High School

Winner Year 11
Zsalea Mansley, Cowra High School

Winner Year 9/10
Jennifer Fletcher, MacKillop College (Year 9)

Highly Commended Year 9/10
Makayla Sloane, Parkes High School (Year 10)

Open Section

upstART 22 Painting Award
Cheyenne Grocott-Robbins, Boorowa Central School, Year 12

Highly Commended Painting
Josh Dargin-Carr, St Stanislaus’ College, Year 11

Highly Commended Painting
Benson Sullivan, Cowra High School, Year 11

upstART22 Drawing Award
Sam Kiho, James Sheahan Catholic High School, Year 12

Highly Commended Drawing
Grace Richmond, St Raphael’s Catholic School, Year 12

Highly Commended Drawing
Rachel Chaim, James Sheahan Catholic School, Year 12

upstART22 Photography Award
Mariam Zaki Brijauri, Cowra High School, Year 10

Highly Commended Photography
Jasmyn Miller-Coe, Cowra High School, Year 9

Highly Commended Photography
Sarah Shingles, Cowra High School, Year 10

upstART22 Digital Art Award
Samuel Bennett, James Sheahan Catholic School, Year 12

Highly Commended Digital Art
Gabrielle Ferguson, MacKillop College, Year 9

upstART22 Mixed Media Award
Hannah Rolls, Hennessey Catholic College, Year 12

upstART22 Sculpture/Ceramics Award
Eleanor Hanson, James Sheahan High Catholic School, Year 12

Highly Commended Sculpture/Ceramics
Iris Cuddy, Canowindra High School, Year 12

Highly Commended Sculpture/Ceramics
Niamh Pankhurst, James Sheahan Catholic High School, Year 12 

People's Choice Winner
Grace Richmond, St Raphael's Catholic High School, Year 12

_{Image:Cheyenne Grosott-Robbins, Barton's Endangered Highway, Winner upstart22 Painting Award.}