We can also add to the above calendar, The Australian Embassy, Tokyo however only a selection of works will be presented there. Still the whole project is a positive addition to art and cultural exchange in this state.

This annual celebration of visual art education is becoming a more enjoyable and important event to those who appreciate art and its encouragement through the school system. This is evidenced by the crowd it attracts every day of the week, and they're not just the doting family and friends of exhibitors.

This year's collection is of an exceptionally high standard. It's impossible to select 'the best' as each exhibitor displays not only fine skills but an approach to their work that reflects an interest extending beyond simply 'making an object' to include creative thinking and the ability to communicate with the viewer. Hand skills can be taught, however creativity and visual communication can not, these qualities must come from within the individual. Kudos to all these young artists.

I've visited the exhibition twice and will no doubt cruise through it again before it moves on. I'm delighted with the textile exhibits. All are imaginative and very well finished. Karolina Stysiak of Mercedes College presents Glamour Girl a modern outfit that has sufficient 'attitude' to take the wearer through any venue. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the fairy tale frock Banquet Fit for a Queen by Daniella Panizza of Santa Maria College. This gown is romantic and scrumptious in material and decoration.

Painting is always well represented and this year there are some interesting, exciting and intriguing examples of this artform. Many offer well crafted realistic examples that display good drawing while others explore the nuances of the medium with panache demonstrating how they've learned their lessons well. Some students beautifully emulate proven styles from the Baroque to Pop and a few nominate particular artists as being influential, which suggests a level of knowledge of art history that is refreshing. Of the paintings I quite like Still-changing by Applecross Senior High School's Phoebe Chan. It addresses a traditional subject with lateral thinking as well as being well painted and constructed. Meanwhile Self-portrait with Mandrill by Balcatta Senior High School's Matthew Lambe stopped me dead in my tracks. This highly expressive image displays both the student's artistic ability and his knowledge of anatomy. To be able to distort the figure to this extent without losing touch with reality is an accomplishment.

Printmaking is represented from the humble woodcut to high tech computer generated examples but 3D work is a bit light on numbers. However, what is presented in both these artforms continues to attest to the imagination and diligence of the students.

I was struck by the lack of angst and  self-indulgence, along with the bravado of colour and experimentation in mixed media, that characterizes the whole presentation and feel this augers well for the future of these visual art students.

Highly impressive work by ten Japanese students adds a new dimension to the exhibition, one I particularly enjoy. Certain similarities in subjects selected (portraits, unpretentious local scenes) along with references to cultural and art historical influences suggest the youth of both countries have much in common. Each exhibit has it's own interest and appeal, to single one out as a preference would be impossible.

Do get to see this exhibition where ever you are in W.A. and, as this site reaches beyond our borders, when it arrives in Tokyo.