24 March 2025

Budding young artists took centre stage as the 2025 Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Creative Arts Exhibition wrapped up with a celebration of talent and creativity. 

A standout feature of Catholic Education Week, this annual exhibition brings together the best artistic expressions from primary and secondary students across the Archdiocese of Melbourne, giving them a platform to showcase their incredible work. 

Judges from the National Gallery of Victoria, Zart Art, and Australian Catholic University – alongside Archbishop Peter A Comensoli and members of the MACS Creative Arts Committee – explored the exhibition, selecting standout pieces that captured their attention. 

Beyond the honour of having their artwork curated for display, these exceptional students also received special recognition through the following awards. 

Archbishop of Melbourne Award for Religious Art 

Winners 

• Jesus- from darkness into light – Years 4, 5 and 6, Mary Queen of Heaven Primary School, Greenvale 
• The Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ – Mario, Year 12, Kolbe Catholic College, Greenvale Lakes 

Highly Commended 

• The Gift of Love – Scarlett, Year 2, St Christopher’s School, Airport West 
• Blinded Faith – Nicholas, Year 11, Emmanus College, Vermont South 

Australian Catholic University Portraiture Prize 

Winners 

• Hanoch Piven-inspired found object digital portraits – Years 5–6, St Luke’s School, Wantirna
• Mоеto Cонсе (my sunshine) – Alannah, Year 11, Mount St Joseph Girls’ College, Altona  
• Soft winds and blooming flowers – Sinead, Year 11, Mount St Joseph Girls’ College, Altona 

Highly Commended 

• Jesus – from darkness into light – Years 4, 5 and 6, Mary Queen of Heaven Primary School, Greenvale  
• Untitled – Sienna, Year 11, St Columba’s College, Essendon  

Executive Director’s Jubilee Year Award for Excellence 

Winners 

• The sacraments – Years 3–6, St Philip’s School, Blackburn North  
• Mr. Socket – Ruby, Year 12, Padua College, Mornington  

Highly Commended 

• Yesus Cinta Saya – Saya Cinta Yesus – Ilion, Year 4, Holy Family School, Doveton 
• Metamorphosis – Rachel, Year 11, St Aloysius College, North Melbourne  

MACS Creative Arts Committee Award 

Winners 

• Cameos – Year 7 (Acreman and Binh Dinh), St Joseph’s College, Ferntree Gully
• St Bernadette’s, 3:15pm – Year 5, St Bernadette’s School, Sunshine North 
• In celebration – Sarah and Mikayla, Year 11, Padua College, Mornington 
• Dream on – Etienne, Year 12, Mount St Joseph Girls’ College, Altona 

Highly Commended 

• Hot African festive season – Jessica, Year 4, Holy Eucharist School, St Albans  
• Duality in a pot – Amelia, Year 11, Sacred Heart Girls’ College, Hughesdale 

National Gallery of Victoria Award for Creativity 

Winners 

• May the blessing of Brigid’s cloak be upon you – Prep–Year 6, St Brigid’s School, Gisborne
• Claude the cat – Ava, Year 9, Our Lady of Mercy College, Heidelberg  

Highly Commended 

• Lady bugs in the sunlight – Demi, Foundation, St Augustine’s School, Frankston South  
• Unleashed in the storm – Grace, Year 3, St Thomas More’s School, Mount Eliza 
• Humpback whale – Emily, Year 10, Padua College, Mornington   

National Gallery of Victoria Photography and Media Arts Award 

Winners 

• Perspective – Dylan, Isaac and James, Year 5, St Paul’s School, Coburg 
• Wei of water – Amelia, Year 11, Mount St Joseph Girls’ College, Altona 

Highly Commended 

• St. Jude’s our story – A collaboration with First Nations artist, Holly Ryan – Year 4, St Jude’s School, Langwarrin  
• White Ferrari – Rommel, Year 12, Catholic Regional College Sydenham, Sydenham  

People’s Choice Award 

Winners 

• Heaven – Harlow, Year 6, St Peter Apostle School, Hoppers Crossing
• Nostalgia – My room and Hello Kitty bubblegum body mist – Hannah, Year 12, Kilbreda College, Mentone

Zart Art Sculpture and 3D Art Award 

Winners 

• The Resurrection – Years 5 and 6, St Fidelis’ School, Moreland  
• The Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ – Mario, Year 12, Kolbe Catholic College, Greenvale Lakes 

Highly Commended 

• Backyard birds – Year 5, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Catholic Parish Primary School, Epping North  
• Bella Addormentata (Sleeping Beauty), Sarah, Year 12, St Aloysius College, North Melbourne.