First Class 24

The Museum of Art and Culture yapang proudly presents First Class 24, continuing its tradition of showcasing and celebrating the creative achievements of students from the previous year’s HSC Visual Arts cohort.

This respected and esteemed exhibition celebrates the voices of these young adults, offering a platform that recognises, respects, and encourages their creative expression.
Over the years, First Class has earned a strong reputation as a space where creativity, ideas, and personal beliefs converge, fostering an appreciation for the transformative power of art within a professional gallery setting.

This year, we celebrate the extraordinary creative talent fostered in high schools across the Hunter, Newcastle, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, and Port Stephens regions. Through their unique visual language, students explore such diverse themes of identity, culture, resilience, relationships, nature and morality, reimagining their world with sensitivity, inventiveness, and profound artistic insight.

First Class 24 invites audiences to explore these thought-provoking works as they transform complex ideas into meaningful art. The Museum of Art and Culture yapang proudly celebrates the creativity and dedication of these young artists and the vision they inspire.

First Class 24 artists

• Alicia Honor
• Amy Flanagan
• Angus McGrath
• Audrey Sinclair
• Austin Wakeman
• Ava Burgess
• Ava Kilcullen
• Ava Unwin
• Caden Bales
• Cruze Lopez
• Drackie Knight
• Elinsarose Varghese
• Elva Messiter
• Emily Ashton
• Grace Gadsby
• Grace Hensel
• Hana Levey
• Imala Cush
• Isabel Castle
• Jess Kelly
• Jess Ward
• Joelle Coutet-Roberts
• Jordan Giles
• Kate Barnett
• Kaylah Green
• Ken Young
• Lachlan Dunning
• Lachlan Harrower
• Laura Dunn
• Lucy Cleworth
• Lucy Lott
• Luis Williams
• Madeleine Hayward
• Matisse Murray
• Mia Goudie
• Mia McIntyre
• Mika Pace
• Molly McNeil
• Rory Kearns
• Scarlett Brennan
• Shreyash Karajagar
• Skye Davis
• Sophia Lee
• Tesla Moore
• Thomas Watkins
• Violet Rothery
• YiLai Wang

About the Curator, Karen Gilbertson

A three-time curator of First Class, Karen Gilbertson has been a practicing Visual Arts teacher for many years teaching in Sydney, the Hunter and Canada. She has 14 years’ experience as Visual Arts Marker, encompassing pilot and senior marking.

Karen has worked for the NSW Education Standards Authority on a variety of committees including the Grade Samples committee and Test Development committee. She has presented Visual Arts & Design Educators Association seminars and Higher School Certificate Study Days. She organises 'Moofest' - Merewether High School’s annual short film festival.

Karen is a keen drawer, painter, printmaker, and gallery visitor.

When

Location

Museum of Art and Culture (MAC), 1A First Street, Booragul 2284, Booragul 2284  View in Google Maps

-32.9741768,151.6156563

1A First Street, Booragul 2284 , Booragul 2284

Museum of Art and Culture (MAC)

1A First Street, Booragul 2284 , Booragul 2284

First Class 24