THE life of Mary MacKillop was the inspiration for students at Mary MacKillop School, Birkdale, while preparing works for the recent Birkdale Brushstrokes Art Show.
The art show was held at Mary MacKillop Church, Birkdale, with student artwork making up part of the 170 works on sale and auctioned afterwards.
Students had a preview of the artwork and were able to vote in their own Students’ Choice Award, while their parents had the chance to vote in the People’s Choice Award.
School art teacher Lesley Alexander said students were given the brief “Journeys across Australia” through the eyes of Mary MacKillop and the final products reflected the students’ individuality and creativity in interpreting that brief.
She said it was the first time most of the students had experienced an art show and they were pleased to be part of such a major parish event.
Mrs Alexander said along with class creations some individual students also had artwork on display.
Year 7 teacher Kate Flanagan said her students had completed a 10-week unit on the life of Mary MacKillop.
She said students had also visited her final resting place in Sydney in June, and their artwork reflected Mary’s life experiences, challenges and personal traits.