ARTEXPRESS opens the door to a world of opportunity for young artists.
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Just ask Tamworth Regional Gallery director Bridget Guthrie, her Year 12 work was chosen for the show when she was still in high school.
"It does help students take that next step when they see their work on the wall in a gallery context and believe a future in art is tangible and possible," she said.
"It allows you to dream and aspire to things in the future.
"ArtExpress has a special place in my heart because I was a part of it when I did my Year 12."
The exhibition hand-picks the best works from Higher School Certificate students in both public and private schools in the state.
It features art across diverse mediums, from ceramics to print making, textiles and oil on canvas.
First displayed at the Art Gallery of NSW, regional galleries then choose the works they would like to see come to their community.
It means the exhibition at the gallery at the moment is exclusive to Tamworth.
It's an important exhibition to have, Ms Guthrie said, it not only inspired young people but takes the gallery back to its roots.
"It's an important teaching tool and links back to the purpose of the gallery which has that strong educational focus," she said.
"Our founder John Salvana, or Jack as he was known, when he set up the gallery and worked with the Tamworth community at the time it was very much about access to the arts and art as a teaching tool.
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"It allows conversations to happen and the opportunity for the gallery to be a safe place for unsafe discussions," she said.
ArtExpress is at the gallery until September 22.