Creativity flourishes in Casey

By Kelly Yates
UP and coming artists unveiled their masterpieces at the annual Casey Creations Creative Arts Competition on 9 April at the Balla Balla Centre in Cranbourne.
The competition, which was part of National Youth Week, attracted 208 entrants from students in Grade five to Year 12 who live, work, study or have a strong connection to Casey. For the first time in the history of the competition, a mayor’s award worth $500 was granted to the winner of the visual arts and photography categories.
There were six first prizes awarded, valued at $50 each, seven merit prizes, valued at $30 each and nine encouragement prizes, valued at $20 each.
The photography category had a total of 10 winners and there were 13 winners in the visual arts section.
City of Casey mayor Janet Halsall said the competition was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talent and creativity of Casey’s young people.
She said it provided the chance for young visual artists and photographers to practise and demonstrate their skills, to share their particular ways of seeing the world and to enrich the community with their insight and imagination.
“I extend my congratulations to all of the entrants,” Cr Halsall said. The Casey Creations Creative Arts Competition has been running for the past seven years. Cranbourne Secondary College’s William McKean, 12, was a first time entrant in the competition and took home the encouragement award for his photography masterpiece.
William’s photos were of a sunset at the beach. “People said my photos were beautiful. I got really excited seeing my art work up on display,” he said.
William hopes to pursue a career in the art industry, either being a cartoonist or a photographer. “I will definitely enter the Casey Creations Creative Arts Competition again as it gives you inspiration to do better,” he said.