At South Australia’s newest public high school, Morialta Secondary College, the annual South Australian Living Artists (SALA) exhibition is helping define the school’s identity as it grows into a year 7–12 campus for 1,200 students. Visual art, music and performance converge in the performing arts centre, transforming it into a vibrant celebration of student creativity.

For this 2-year-old school, the annual exhibition is more than an event—it’s becoming a statement about who Morialta is and who it wants to be.

Art teacher Talia Dawson has been central to shaping the exhibition. She says it’s an incredible opportunity for South Australia’s newest public high school.

‘The SALA exhibition shows that creativity can be central to our school, not on the edges,’ says Talia.

‘When families walk into the exhibition, they see more than just artwork. They see students taking risks, finding their voice and presenting themselves as artists. It’s transformative.’

From its early days as a display in the library, the exhibition has evolved into a flagship whole-school event, now filling the performing arts centre with hundreds of works, live performances and student presenters.

This year the exhibition also included work from feeder schools and preschools, which makes Talia particularly proud.

‘It’s not just about our students – it’s about building a community,’ she says. ‘Younger learners see that their work is valued alongside others, and they get to imagine what they might do when they get here. It’s aspirational.’

Entries and prize winners stretched across the school’s 3 year levels, with 88 artworks submitted by 73 students, in addition to creative projects completed in classrooms across the school.

Among the standout honours was the Principal’s Award, presented to a collaborative work by Angel C, Katie V and Xander S.

The People’s Choice Award went to Year 7 student Carmella V, whose vibrant work ‘80’s Cruising’ captivated the community. This recognition was especially meaningful as it reflected the connection between the students’ creativity and the audience’s response.

Finding belonging through art

For wellbeing leader Shae Perilli, the exhibition is a powerful tool for student confidence and belonging.

‘Not every student shines on the sporting field or in a musical production. For some, the SALA exhibition is where they’re seen and celebrated. The impact on self-esteem and belonging is huge.’

She recalls one student who was reluctant to attend, anxious about people looking at her work. ‘When her piece won an award, her mum told us it changed how her daughter saw herself.

‘We also had music students perform for the first time – instrumentalists playing in front of an audience. Public speaking was another component. Seeing them step up and share their voices – it’s incredible.’

Shaping school culture through the arts

Principal Roley Coulter frames the exhibition in the context of the school’s evolution and the Department for Education South Australia’s strategy for public education.

‘As our school is evolving, events like the SALA exhibition give us an opportunity to shape our culture intentionally,’ he says.

‘We’re thinking about impact, equity and excellence. Every student should have a chance to thrive, and this exhibition exemplifies that.

‘The arts at Morialta Secondary College are helping define what it means for our learners to have agency with their learning and to belong, achieve and become the very best they can be.'

To learn more about the Department for Education South Australia’s strategy for public education, visit Our strategy for public education in South Australia.