STUDENTS from Years 9 and 10 art classes at Port Macquarie High School have entered the NSW Parliament Plein Air Prize sponsored by Telstra. This is a competition exclusively for landscapes painted outdoors (en plein air means “in the open air”).
This student competition is being run in conjunction with the main prize and the winners will be announced in July. Telstra is sponsoring the event with prize-money of $20,000 for the winning canvas.
Port Macquarie’s participation was made possible through one of the 10 workshops Telstra has set up state-wide to help foster young talent.
Local artist Leanne Prussing was invited to tutor the Port High students at Town Beach on Friday morning during a four-hour workshop. She set up her own canvas and painted as she taught. Leanne is a well-established landscape painter and was a surprised but proud finalist in the 2011 Sulman Prize.
“The Sulman is like the Archibald Prize for landscape paintings,” Leanne said. “I keep having a go. What I’m trying to achieve with these students in four hours should really be extended over a four-day workshop. We’ll see how we go,” she added.
And go well they did. By noon when executives from Telstra paid a visit along with local member Leslie Williams MP, the students were ready to put the finishing touches to their impressive paintings.
Port Macquarie High art teacher Karen Noble was delighted with how quickly her students were progressing.
“These are the students who are likely to take art in Years 11 and 12,” she said. “Leanne is trying to refine the skill base and painting techniques of these students in her workshop. The students are loving it.”
Telstra area general manager Michael Marom encouraged the students and gave them information about the competition. He told them that prizes of $500 with $1000 going to their schools will be awarded to the three finalists and the winning canvas will be hung in State Parliament. To encourage them further, Mr Maron offered a $50 prize to the best landscape on the day.
Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams also visited the workshop. She too praised the students’ efforts and was impressed by the high standard on display. She outlined what the government’s role was in assisting the development of young talent. Ms Williams also offered to visit Port Macquarie High School to congratulate the day’s winner when selected.
Rod Bruem from Telstra told the students they were lucky to have such beautiful scenes to paint. Mr Bruem is the corporate affairs manager with Telstra for NSW and the ACT.
“While Port Macquarie is conducting this workshop in this beautiful location another is being held in Mosman today as well,” Mr Bruem said.
“Every place incorporates their local area. It was spectacular at Farah Agricultural High School as well with the rolling hills of Tamworth as a background. Orange was lovely too with the autumn colours. The 10th and final workshop will be held at Wagga’s Lake Albert which should be pretty.”
Students will have a few more days to put finishing touches to their paintings, but artist Leanne Prussing, advised against re-doing their work as it would lose the spontaneity they captured so well.
