Nominations are now open for the 2025 Reilly Art Prize program.
After the enormous success of the inaugural Reilly Art Prize last year, Lifeview is once again pleased to extend an invitation to art students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to take part in the unique initiative.
The Reilly Art Prize sees participating students paired with a resident from a Lifeview home. The student and resident meet, get to know each other, and the student paints a portrait of the resident, capturing the unique characteristics and story behind their resident’s life.
Lifeview homes are based in Chelsea (Argyle Court), Cranbourne (Willow Wood), Emerald (Emerald Glades) and Wheelers Hill (The Willows). Students can choose which home they would like to visit to be paired with a resident.
This year’s Reilly Art Prize pool will be over $5000.
Last year’s winner, Year 11 Emerald Secondary College student Luka, was awarded a $5000 first prize for her amazing portrait of Emerald Glades resident Doug on his drumkit.
“The quality of work produced by the students last year was exceptional, and it was clear from the students’ feedback that it was a very special program to be a part of,” Lifeview CEO Samantha Jewell said.
“The residents also got so much joy out of their involvement, with comments such as, ‘The visits were a highlight of my week’ accentuating this.
“Every aged care resident has a story to tell. The way the young artists told those stories through their portrait work last year was beautiful to see, and we’re excited about growing the competition further this year.”
Cranbourne Secondary College Visual Arts Coordinator Karl Pandolfo, whose students were involved in last year’s program, saw firsthand how much they enjoyed taking part.
“A lot of the students got much more than just art out of this… The ability to work with someone living in aged care and make relationships and create an artwork of that person was a wonderful outcome for all involved,” he said.
Renowned Melbourne artist Robert Lee, one of the judges in last year’s competition, was full of praise for the quality of last year’s artwork and the enthusiasm shown by the students.
“It is wonderful to see so much creativity from the young artists and their engagement with the sitters. It has really shone in their portraits,” he said.
“It is clear the program has brought great joy to both the artists and the sitters.”
This year, Lifeview has brought the Reilly Art Prize forward to be held earlier on the calendar, allowing students more time to paint their portraits and important separation from VCE exams later in the year.
Last year’s winner, Luka, spoke about the competition on ABC Radio Melbourne with Evenings host David Astle.
“(The Reilly Art Prize) showed me that despite the massive generational difference, we can still connect via music or whatever other passion, and just being able to communicate on different levels was truly a wonder,” she said.
“I’d never really delved into portraits … I’ve always quite struggled with faces, and this has been an amazing challenge.
“Whenever I could, I stopped by (Emerald Glades) just to have a chat (with Doug) and talk about his life. He told me a lot about himself, and we just connected on what kind of music we liked.
“The aspect of his drums … something that he truly loved, it made him fall in love with (the artwork) quite well and he really did appreciate it showing his passion. Picturing him like that was my main goal.”
At the Exhibition event, Doug didn’t leave the portrait’s side.
“It’s just great, isn’t it!” he said.
“I’ve had such a great time, and Luka is so clever to have drawn this piece. It’s been just wonderful.”
Students wishing to take part in this year’s Reilly Art Prize can fill in the online form and Lifeview will be in touch to facilitate the program.
Find out more:
About Lifeview
Lifeview delivers innovative, award-winning care and wellness through four homes in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs. With a model that is a world away from the “traditional nursing home model”, Lifeview residents are afforded an industry-leading social and lifestyle program, exceptional care and wellness, and delicious and nutritious meals prepared by qualified chefs. Lifeview is proudly pet-friendly, with residents encouraged to bring their beloved pets into the home when they join the community. As a proudly Rainbow Tick accredited organisation, Lifeview is inclusive and welcoming. Learn more about the Lifeview difference at www.lifeview.com.au
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Media enquiries: cwinnell@lifeview.com.au
