The award has been going since 1994 and previous winners, all aged between 15 and 25, have included Danie Mellor, Sebastian Perri, Paul Mosig, Catherine Bennetts-Cash and Hayley Lander.

Judges, Canberra Museum and Gallery director Shane Breynard and “CityNews” art reviewer Anni Doyle Wawrzynczak described Paul’s work as “energetic and forward-looking”, adding that it “warmly, quirkily reflects on contemporary issues of identity”.

In accepting the award, Paul said that she had never exhibited her artwork before and praised  her art teacher at Lake Ginninderra College, Sam Townsend for encouraging her and her fellow students to enter.

The judges also gave a special commendation to Keane Marsh from Blue Gum Community School, for his photographic work “The Light of Life”, which they described as “bold and kinetic”.

The awards exhibition continues at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre gallery until June 30, Tues-Fri 10am to 5pm (phone 6293 1443 for weekend gallery hours).

[box]Award winners:

Academy of Interactive Entertainment – $790 Certificate II Course in Creative Industries (Media) 3D Animation. The winner was Michael Jackson-Rand for his work “Paris, Je t’Aime”

Aarwun Gallery Encouragement Award – a $250 voucher for professional framing. The winner was Isobel Watt for her work “Embarkment”

PhotoAccess – a $250 voucher for membership and courses at PhotoAccess. The winner was Cecilia Martin for her work “Art of Motion”

Tuggeranong Arts Centre – a $250 voucher for centre programs/purchases. The winner was Isaac Kairouz for his work “Tea for 2” [/box]