St Peter’s College SALA exhibition, Lives in Portraiture, opened on Thursday 13 August. Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School Mr Barnaby Eaton attended to present certificates of participation on behalf of the Art Gallery of NSW to students who submitted portraits to the 2026 Young Archie Competition.
A People’s Choice Award was also presented on the night, prompting plenty of conversation and engagement with the artworks. Head of Arts Ms Adele Turner congratulated each winner with a certificate and an Eckersley’s voucher to support their continued artistic practice.
Through the sale of artworks, more than $500 was raised for The Smith Family, supporting children experiencing disadvantage with access to educational resources and learning opportunities. The evening also featured a cello performance by Year 11 Music student Charles Nguyen.
Thank you to our teachers, families and friends for supporting the exhibition and celebrating the work of our Young Archies Portraiture Group artists.
The Young Archies Portraiture Group has now turned its attention to creating portraits for the 2027 Young Archie Competition. Classes continue to be filled with conversation, creativity and a shared commitment to developing each student’s skills. Thank you to everyone who continues to support the cocurricular and take an interest in the students’ work. We look forward to sharing more of their progress and achievements.
“I have been a part of the Young Archies Portraiture Group for three years now, and it has been one of the highlights of my schooling in the middle years. Every Monday I come to the art room and gather with some friends, and we all just spend time together laughing, painting, and helping each other improve. I see YAPG less as an art class and more as a place for people to be themselves and express who they are through colours on a page.”
Jacob, Year 8
“I like the Young Archies Portraiture Group because it has enhanced my artistic skills and is overall really fun. Learning the dimensions and shadows has helped to make my portrait look professional. It is also very relaxing to draw and sketch in the afternoon.”
Aryan, Year 8
“I enjoy drawing, and in the Young Archies Portraiture Group I’m learning new ways to draw. I have especially enjoyed using the special Japanese paint. I also like to learn how to draw facial features, especially the eyes and mouths.”
Henry, Year 7
Ms Rosalynde Skewes
Senior Art Teacher
