***MEDIA OPPORTUNITY TODAY: see details below***

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Director, Bill Bleathman, today said he was delighted to welcome an exhibition of student artworks into one of TMAG's premier temporary exhibitions galleries.

Mr Bleathman said the SCENEMACHINES exhibition features the work of 60 year 9 and 10 students from 19 schools and is inspired by the two media categories for the 2012 City of Hobart Art Prize, paint and fibre.

"SCENEMACHINES was born out of a partnership between the University of Tasmania's School of Art, the Hobart City Council and TMAG's highly successful AccessArt program," Mr Bleathman said.

"The students took part in a 4 day series of lectures, artist talks and hands-on workshops at the UTAS School of Art where they produced the works now on show.

"The program gives students a taste of what it is like to exhibit their work at a professional level, and holding the exhibition in one of our art galleries for the first time is fantastic recognition of the intrinsic value of art education and TMAG's support for experimental and emerging art practice."

SCENEMACHINES is the fourth exhibition of student work that has been created in response to the City of Hobart Art Prize, and more than 240 students have taken part in the MACHINES program since it began in 2009.

"The exhibition will overlap with TMAG's presentation the City of Hobart Art Prize, which will provide a great opportunity for people to see these related exhibitions concurrently and celebrate an exciting breadth of creative development," Mr Bleathman said.

"We are very proud to support the next generation of creative thinkers and celebrate their journey, alongside that of artists who at the peak of their careers."

SCENEMACHINES will be on show until Sunday 14 October 2012. The City of Hobart Art Prize 2012 exhibition opens at TMAG on Saturday 6 October 2012 and runs until Sunday 11 November 2012.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: Students who participated in the program will join UTAS art lecturers John Vella and Lucy Bleach to view the exhibition. Media are welcome to attend to obtain interviews and photographs/vision.

When: 4:00 pm TODAY at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, 5 Argyle Street, Hobart.