CIT Visual Arts student a top emerging global artist

Armed with a couple of paintings displaying her exceptional talent and a CIT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship, in 2018 Kate Buerckner enrolled in CIT's Diploma of Visual Arts (CUA51115). The same paintings became official entries into the 2020 Visual Arts Open (VAO), the UK and International Emerging Artists Awards.

Kate said she entered the competition on a whim, and she put it in the back of her mind until she received an email advising that her entry was successful and will proceed to Stage 2 judging. She said, "I nearly fell off my chair. I was in shock for about two weeks because it's a competition for all levels of artists including new, emerging artists worldwide."

The email stated that "The level and number of entries received into this year's competition were extremely high." The competition is open to all levels and in all mediums including digital, drawing, acrylic painting, watercolour, oil painting, sculpture and mixed media. Kate's oil painting 'The Lake' was selected among over 2,000 submissions competing for one of the 35 finalist spaces available.

The VAO email congratulated Kate for "Being selected as a highly commended artist." Kate admits "I still have a lot to learn and explore as well as to perfect. To be so highly commended as an emerging artist is mind boggling, and I take it as an awesome compliment."

"I would love to see some of my artworks hanging in a gallery, that's a dream of mine," Kate said, whose works focus on the beauty of nature. Kate is preparing for the end of year graduation exhibition and has been offered the opportunity to lead an art group at the Lanyon Murra Murra Youth and Community Centre. Her dream will soon start to become a reality as she has been asked to provide some pieces for an exhibition in February 2021 at Tuggeranong Arts Centre.