Student Art Takes Over the Civic Theatre

Student art has arrived at the Civic Theatre — and it's free to see.

Top Art, an annual touring exhibition of NCEA Level 3 Visual Arts portfolios, opened in the Wikitoria Room at Invercargill's Civic Theatre and runs until Wednesday August 5. The show features 27 physical art boards alongside approximately 23 digital moving image folios from students across New Zealand who achieved Excellence in their Visual Arts assessments last year.

It is the first time the exhibition has been hosted at the Civic Theatre. Previously it toured to the former Southland Museum and Art Gallery, Southland Girls' High School, and James Hargest College.

The five fields of Visual Arts are all represented — design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.

The exhibition is run by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Deputy chief executive assessment Jann Marshall said the work on display represents a high bar.

"These students have created outstanding work, and this exhibition represents just a small sample of what was produced at this level in schools across the country last year," Marshall said.

The Civic Theatre venue is a deliberate choice, not just a logistical one. Outreach curator Saskia Whall said moving exhibitions into public spaces matters.

"Ensuring art is able to be seen within accessible spaces throughout our community is really important. When art is woven into our public spaces, everybody has the opportunity to connect, feel inspired, and experience creativity in their everyday lives," Whall said.

She was also frank about what the show represents for Southland audiences. "The calibre of visual art being created by rangatahi throughout the motu is incredible, and we are really delighted to be able to play a role in bringing a showcase of this to the people of Invercargill and Southland. Top Art will be the first off-site exhibition we have hosted at the Civic Theatre, and we are really looking forward to bringing a celebration of visual arts to such a grand, beloved space in our city," Whall said.

Entry is free. Self-guided tours are available during the Civic Theatre's usual opening hours, with guided tours available at set times — and an optional walking art tour of the inner city can be added on.