Leading Australian apparel brand Classic Sportswear has announced local artist Brooke Sutton as the winner of the National Indigenous Young Artist Scholarship.
As the successful applicant Brooke will benefit from the unique scholarship program that reinforces Classic Sportswear’s continued commitment to the recognition of Indigenous culture through Indigenous design opportunities and the direct support and development of youth in the sector.
The National Indigenous Young Artist Scholarship will provide Brooke with pillars of support, including academic education, artistic development, personal investment and professional development.
Brooke will work directly with Classic Sportswear to add value to a diverse range of partnerships such as the NRL Indigenous All Stars, NRL School to Work program, the Indigenous Youth Summit, Indigenous Women’s Pathways Programs as well as corporate uniforms and grassroots participation sports.
Classic Sportswear’s managing director Warren Carney is proud of the establishment of the program and said he was looking forward to playing an active mentoring role.
He said the program was designed to support Indigenous youth in their educational, artistic, creative and professional development endeavours, which aligns perfectly with all Brooke’s ambitions.
“When the scholarship was launched, we understood the cultural impact of the program and its potential to contribute to partnerships across a wide range of industry segments,” he said.
“Our group of partner brands, which includes Classic Sportswear, has a genuine commitment to supporting Indigenous programs and culture.”
He said not only did Brooke submit an outstanding application, but it was also extremely impressive the way in which she carries herself as an accomplished, committed and mature young women with a passion for her creative craft, eagerness to learn and authentic enthusiasm for professional development.
“We look forward to providing Brooke with tangible professional experience and mentorship and know that with her demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, will be an asset for us,” he said.
Brooke said she was thrilled to win the Classic Sportswear scholarship and she looked forward to working with the national company.
“When I heard about the Classic Sportswear National Indigenous Young Artist Scholarship, I knew it would be an amazing opportunity for the development of all my passions for education, creative art and professional development,” she said.
“I am really excited that I was successful and will now be working with the team at Classic Sportwear.
“I will always strive to be my very best, to make a difference and inspire young people to follow their dreams, so I’m grateful that the opportunity with Classic Sportswear strongly supports these ambitions.”
Brooke, and her older sister Chern’ee, also officially unveiled two stunning new police cars in Woorabinda, Queensland, in October.
The cars are adorned in designs which were created by the Sutton sisters along with the very talented students at Wadja Wadja High School and in conjunction with Woorabinda Police in a two-day workshop earlier this year.
Brooke is a young emerging artist who paints her stories with visually unique colour, composition and texture, with a style that is anchored in reconciliation and brings together two very different worlds into one piece so everyone can enjoy them – bringing people together with her art.
Brooke takes her inspiration from Australian plants, animals and landscapes, particularly in the coastal seaside of her hometown in the Bundaberg Region.
Having a passion for painting since she was six years old, Brooke has amassed an impressive catalogue of credits all while a high school student.
Brooke’s artworks have been exhibited across Queensland, including Childers Art Space, Saltwater Exhibition Cairns Indigenous Art Fair and Mount Isa Regional Art Gallery.
Equally as impressive, Brooke has been commissioned to provide artworks for Queensland Births, Deaths and Marriages, Australian Department of Defence, Nestle, Chubb Fire and Security, Cooper Grace and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute just to name a few.
