Deakin will hold its last ever graduate exhibition, Zenith this October in conjunction with Sky’s the Limit, an exhibition featuring the works of Deakin alumni.
Amber Smith, Deakin Arts lecturer, said the two exhibitions, opening on October 7, will celebrate the tenth and final year of Creative Arts at Deakin and the breadth, quality and legacy of creative talent across the Geelong region.
“I am so excited and honoured to be involved in putting on this exhibition at Deakin Waterfront,” Ms Smith said.
“The work of students and Alumni is world-class. It’s contemporary, thought-provoking, and exciting.
“Geelong should be so proud of what its arts and culture community produces and contributes to the national and international arts dialogue.”
Graduating student Shanagh Bridgeman-McCoy, who will present her work ‘Thou Women Shalt Do As They Please’ as part of Zenith, said being a part of the final graduate exhibition at Deakin was bittersweet.
“It’s crazy to think that it’s the last one, it’s sad to see it go,” she said.
“I’m originally from Echuca, I moved here four years ago to study, and I just love Geelong. It’s a mix of city and regional.
“My partner and I have built up careers since moving here, and we plan to stay here for as long as we can.”
Shanagh’s fellow graduate, Anastasia McKnight, said the Deakin visual arts course had pushed her to find her own identity as an artist.
“It’s encouraged us to make our own way and test our limits as artists,” she said.
“I remember in my first year, I was doing a lot of what I thought my lecturers would like, or what my parents would like me to make artwork out of.
“But when I got to second year I went, hang on, this is my art, why don’t I make the art I want to make? Talking to my lecturers I found confidence in my art. I realised I could do it the way I wanted to.
“I have mixed feelings, it’s a bit of an honour to be part of the last hurrah, but it’s very sad. I’d like to be able to see people continue to be able to do this course in Geelong.”
