OZ Minerals copper sculpture school winner unveils artwork
18 Nov 2011
Today Victor Harbor High School will unveil their new copper signage hand crafted by students with funds received as winners of the OZ Minerals Copper Sculpture Award in 2010. The new signage will be officially unveiled and opened along with the school’s two new buildings by Senator Anne McEwen.
Victor Harbor High School was the winner of the OZ Minerals Copper Sculpture Award schools division in 2010. The award is part of the South Australian Living Arts Festival (SALA). The award, originally launched in 2010, gives artists the opportunity to work with copper and provides a creative way for communities to connect with the metal that is such a large part of the South Australian economy and history. As winners of the award Victor Harbor High School were provided with copper and funding to create the new school sign which is displayed on the front wall of the high school.
The copper signage is made up of 30cm high individual copper letters and spells out the school’s name. The copper letters are decorated with blue, white and black enamel artwork/designs that have been derived from the images of wave and costal native plants.
The copper signage has been in development for over a year and has been a team effort across the school. Stencils for the artwork were created by year 8 and 9 students by converting their sketches of coastal native plants into outline drawings and the year 12 students cut the shapes to be transferred to the copper letters.
The Principal from Victor Harbor High School Ms Fiona Haselgrove commented “This has been a fantastic opportunity for our students to work with a medium such as copper. This sign will be a lasting representation of the creative talents of our students.”
OZ Minerals is very impressed with the school’s new signage produced through the collaboration of students at Victor Harbor High School. OZ Minerals Managing Director and CEO Terry Burgess commented “The school’s new unique copper sign is not only a functional art piece but a striking artwork that captures the beauty of copper and the scenic aspects of the South Australian coastal town.”
About the OZ Minerals Copper Sculpture Award
The OZ Minerals Copper Sculpture Award is part of the South Australian Living Arts (SALA) Festival. 2010 was the first year the OZ Minerals Award was offered. Winners of the 2011 OZ Minerals Copper Sculpture Award had twelve months to create their artwork.
The OZ Minerals Award is similar to a commission. South Australian artists are given the opportunity to submit ideas and apply for assistance in obtaining copper and production costs. Artists are then able to sell their works after the SALA festival.
About OZ Minerals
OZ Minerals operates the Prominent Hill copper mine in northern South Australia, located approximately 130 kilometres from Coober Pedy and 130 kilometres from Roxby Downs. The mine has a preferential local employment policy with approximately 80 percent of its work force from South Australia.
OZ Minerals is proud to be an award partner of the SALA Festival.
For further information please contact
Nancy Bellistri
Communications Officer
OZ Minerals Limited
Nancy.bellistri@ozminerals.com
03 9288 0249
0418 993 252