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Queensland's emerging artists shine at Art Awards

Independent Education Union - Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT)

Talented students impressed the reviewers at last night’s Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) Awards for Excellence in Art Design.

 

The Awards, held at the Queensland Multicultural Centre in Brisbane, attracted hundreds of entries from students and teachers across the Queensland and Northern Territory non-government education sector, with entrants submitting artwork responding to the theme of ‘Reflections’.

Attendees were also treated to an engaging lecture by guest speaker James Hillier (Nordacious), a Brisbane-based visual artist and illustrator whose work moves between popular culture, politics, portraiture and queer storytelling.

Hillier reflected on the highlights and challenges of his career as an artist.  

Student Ginger Jones from Downlands College, Toowoomba was awarded the top honour of the Harriet Hunter Memorial Award, established in memory of a gifted student whose life was tragically taken in the 1999 South-East Queensland floods.

 

The Harriet Hunter Memorial Award winner is selected from all winning entries across Pre-school to Year 12 and was reviewed by Harriet’s parents, Adrian and Sue Hunter.

 

Adrian said Ginger’s standout piece, submitted in the Years 3-4 category, was chosen because of the playful nature and interpretational depth on the topic of reflection. 

 

“It considers personal reflection, the value of our relationship with nature and ocean mythology,” Adrian said. 

 

“The medium has been handled with sensitivity and the composition, placement of colour and form is overall visually appealing and vibrant — a positive outlook on life and transformation,” he said.

 

IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the Award reviewers were impressed by the high standard of submissions across all age groups in response to the theme.

 

“The reviewers commented on the quality of entries and the varied and creative interpretations that entrants brought to this year’s theme,” Mr Burke said.

 

“Our union established the Awards in 1994 to promote and encourage artistic students and celebrate their flair for creativity.

 

“Art is a very important area of learning in schools and IEU-QNT is proud to support the artistic talent of students and staff in the Queensland non-government sector.

 

“We congratulate all award recipients for their remarkable achievements,” Mr Burke said.

 

ENDS

 

Click here to see the full list of recipients of 2026 Awards of Excellence and Highly Commended Awards.

 

Reviewer comments on all Award of Excellence recipients as well as further event photos are available on request. 

About us:

The Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) represents more than 17,000 teachers, school support staff, principals and early childhood education employees across Queensland and the Northern Territory. www.ieuqnt.org.au

 

Contact details:

Contact: Paige Furner, IEU-QNT Communications Officer: 0429 897 259/ [email protected]