Art dream for student is realised

FRIENDS of the Tweed Art Gallery volunteer Maureen Brack shows off one of Joe Miller's self portraits.

Tweed Daily News/Craig Sadler

DURING his years at Murwillumbah High School Joe Miller dreamed of having his work displayed at the Tweed River Art Gallery.

And now that his dream has finally come true he won't be in town to see it.

The 19-year-old is studying art at the Sydney Institute's Enmore Design Centre.

Joe's paintings, a series of self portraits and abstract landscapes called Be Yourself, have been chosen in the Art Express collections for the North Coast and Sydney.

Art Express, an exhibition of outstanding works by 2008 Higher School Certificate Visual Arts students from New South Wales, will open this Friday, at the Tweed River Art Gallery at 6.30pm.

“I'd like to see it in the gallery because I always went there and used to hope that one day I'd have art there,” said Joe, from Double Bay.

“But I'm in Sydney.”

As well as attending art school, Joe is completing a Silversmith apprenticeship to learn jewellery making.

Joe, who grew up at Eungella, said he was thrilled to be chosen for the collection.

“The HSC art markers come to the school, and if they find works that are really exceptional they will nominate them in the Art Express pool.”

“I was really lucky because my art was chosen for two collections.”

One person who is guaranteed not to miss the exhibit is Joe's mum Paula.

“We're so proud of him,” she beamed. “He's certainly a boy that's landed on his feet.”