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In 2017 , Tintern Grammar Visual Art & Design student, Abby Hurleston Class of 2018, was selected to participate in an exhibition – ‘100’ with her painting of ‘Beryl’.

100 was an art exhibition profiling Melbourne´s centenarians through portraits created by skilled young artists. The project was about bringing generations together outside the typical family unit, celebrating elders from the community and creating a fun platform for inter-generational exchange.

Each centenarian was partnered with a teenage artist from the local area. Over several visits, the centenarian and teenage artist shared time together, drinking tea and getting to know each another. Sketches and reference photos were created and a portrait was made. This delightful process offered hope, joy and inspiration. 100 engaged 200 participants from 70 Melbourne suburbs, 63 secondary schools and 87 nursing homes in 2017.

For the teenage artists, it was an opportunity to meet a centenarian often for the first time and create a portrait. For the centenarians, it was a chance to share history. For both generations, it offered a memorable experience exchanging perspectives. The exhibition launched on Sunday 8 October 2017 at The Stables @ The Meat Market in Melbourne. All portraits were gifted to the centenarians and their families at the close of the exhibition.

Since the inaugural Melbourne program, a version of this event has been experienced in every state and territory around Australia. In 2023, a National Finale of works are featuring from every state and territory from 19 May – 2 July 2023,  at Belco Arts in Canberra  titled ‘100 Canberra – The National Exhibition’ and we are thrilled to announce that Abby’s work was chosen to showcase her immense talent and the sensitive way in which she approached and depicted her painting.

The exhibition in Canberra expresses that ‘every picture tells a story. See what 100 years of life looks like at an art exhibition highlighting the experiences, memories and life history of our most senior citizens.’

Rachel Waud | Head of Visual Arts and Design