02 September 2025
Six students from Fitzroy Valley District High School were among the finalists in this year’s Young Originals art exhibition.
The annual Young Originals art exhibition once again transformed the Spectrum Project Space into a vibrant showcase of creative talent from students in Years 7 to12 across Western Australian public schools.
Students from Fitzroy Valley District High School were finalists in the Young Originals art exhibition.
This year, the 16th of the exhibition, 212 art and design pieces were submitted from 33 schools, with 70 selected as finalists for display.
It featured a wide range of mediums, including photography, animation, drawing, painting, sculpture, graphics, ceramics and textiles.
The works explored diverse themes such as identity, culture, environment and technology, offering a powerful reflection of the evolving concerns and passions of young people today.
Fitzroy Valley District High School Principal, Janette Hindmarsh, could not have been prouder of her students.
“Being the only remote/regional school selected to represent the Kimberley is a powerful moment for our community,” she said.
“Our students’ artwork reflects deep cultural knowledge, connection to Country, and lived experience.
“To have that showcased to the nation is not only a celebration of their talent, but also a recognition of the strength and richness of Kimberley culture.”
Students Seth Skeen, Hailey Fredericks-James, Harley Green, Surahanni Pindan and Aakarshen Skeen, along with their Visual Arts teacher Marc Bikim, travelled more than 2,500 kilometres to attend the exhibition’s opening night.
Mr Bikim was proud of his students who have spent nearly three years developing their art.
The student's artwork explore diverse themes such as identity, culture, environment and technology.
“It’s been incredible to watch their confidence grow. Seeing them recognised on a state level is emotional—it’s not just about the art, it’s about their identity, their pride, and their future,” he said.
“All six artworks depict features of the Kimberley and our community. They showcase who we are, where we come from, and what’s important to us. It’s powerful to share that with the rest of the country.”
The exhibition was presented by the Western Australian Secondary School Executives’ Association (WASSEA), in partnership with the Sangora Education Foundation, Edith Cowan University’s School of Arts and Humanities, and the Department of Education.
This year for the first time, members of the public could vote online to determine the People’s Choice Award winners. The three artworks receiving the highest number of votes will be featured in the promotional and marketing materials for the 2026 exhibition.
The winners were:
- Aaliyah Wallis, School of Isolated and Distance Education
- Abbey Douce, Ocean Reef Senor High School
- Naura Maliha, Belmont City College
The works are available to view online.