October 10, 2019
An artwork by St Mary’s Catholic College Year 12 student Shanyce Blackman will have pride of place on Friday at a special ceremony in Brisbane.
Shanyce’s work has been chosen for the cover of the brochure for Brisbane Catholic Education’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduation Liturgy at St Stephen’s Cathedral.
Hundreds of Year 12 graduates from across Queensland will gather at the Cathedral for the event.
Shanyce, from Cherbourg, said the drawing depicted herself as a tree.
“My time at school has seen me grow into a strong tree,” she said.
The roots are grounded in the land and the sky is full of knowledge.
Shanyce, a proud Butchulla woman, said the words on the tree were things which mean at lot to her: Family, friends, culture, school, Cherbourg, art … and much more.
The cross represents her faith while the dragonfly honours her late mother.
Art teacher Bronwyn Martoo said the liturgy booklet usually featured artwork from a Brisbane school so she was “really chuffed” when Shanyce’s work was chosen.
This is the second time Shanyce’s work has been officially recognised.
Last year, she won first place for Year 11 students in the Queensland-wide QATSIF Creative Arts Competition.
Shanyce will be travelling down to Brisbane on Friday for the graduation ceremony.
