Standout student takes arts award

PRELUDE STAR: Rachel Bolt with Tina Tylee, chairwoman of the Centennial Sculpture Committee. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

St Matthew's Collegiate School art student Rachel Bolt is the inaugural recipient of a new scholarship at the school.

Communications co-ordinator Nicola Holmwood said the Prelude (2014) Centennial Arts Scholarship was established using funds remaining from donations for the school centennial sculpture titled Prelude.

The sculpture was created by renowned Kiwi sculptor Virginia Kingun and unveiled at the St Matthew's centennial celebrations in March this year to commemorate 100 years of women's education at the school.

The scholarship will annually provide $500 to a Year 13 St Matthew's student who intends to study painting, sculpture, printmaking, design or photography at tertiary level, Ms Holmwood said.

A trophy comprising a stainless steel circle with a large central star cut out, recalls the original Prelude sculpture and accompanies the scholarship, Ms Holmwood said. The trophy will be presented at the end of year prizegiving each year.

Monika Theng, St Matthew's Collegiate School art department head, said Ms Bolt "has always shown a lot of ability in her art education", winning art prizes in Year 11 and 12.

"She was one of only a few girls who took two art subjects in her final year, studying design and painting, and her commitment to the subject made her the standout choice for this scholarship."

Ms Bolt would study art and design at Massey University, Ms Holmwood said, and the Prelude arts scholarship fund will be held in trust by the St Matthew's Collegiate School Foundation.