Youth Support Project’s award for Catholic arts
The Province 20 Youth Support Project’s annual Angelico art prize of $500 was this year won by Year 12 student from Prendiville Catholic College – Zoe Liesis.
“ My portrait explores how my music is shaped by countless experiences and influences. I’ve included echoes of people who’ve woven themselves into my sound and shaped my identity as a musician,
showing how inspirations live within every note I play.”
This year’s prize was presented by Youth Support Project President, Lou Daily at the Catholic Education Commission’s performing arts festival for Catholic Schools and Colleges held at the Forrest Centre in the City of Perth on Monday 25th August 2025Prior to the award presentations, all art pieces (painting, sculptures and general categories) were professionally displayed in the Forrest Centre foyer, allowing guests and parents to mingle and view all entries.
The Performing Arts Festival was established by the Catholic Education Commission to help students experience the spirit and tradition of the performing arts. The festival seeks to provide students with specific “performance platforms” where they have the unique opportunity to give their very best and perform to a public audience.
Open to both primary and secondary school students the performance categories encompass choral, drama, musical, instrumental, vocal and dance aspects of the performing arts. Approximately 18,000 students each year enter the festival, which commences with an opening Mass and concludes with a final concert showcasing Shield and Outstanding Award recipients.
The Angelico Exhibition for Catholic students is a prestigious event on the Catholic schools art calendar. Named after the Blessed Fra Angelico, Patron before God of Artists, the combined Primary and Secondary Angelico Exhibition runs for three weeks and is open to students from pre-primary to Year 12. The exhibition provides a broad public forum through which Catholic students throughout Western Australia are able to exhibit their dynamic artistic talent.
The exhibition is open to all Catholic school students and features an array of creative, colourful, inspirational and spiritual works ranging from Aboriginal and contemporary paintings, ceramics, sculpture, furniture pieces and textiles. Diversity has always been one of the show’s main features from bold social statements to scenes of serenity with works coming from as far as Kununurra, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Albany and Broome.
The Catenian Association through the Province 20 Youth Support Project has been a committed sponsor for several years.
The Catenian award was the initiative of our Late Brother, Len Roberts during his long term as President of the Youth Support Project (YSP) and is an important component of the support YSP is committed to for Catholic Youth. The YSP is proud to sponsor an award in the category of Portraiture (1st preference), Landscape (2nd preference) or artwork at the judge’s discretion.
