The creative talents of hundreds of Government school students are being showcased in Tasmania's answer to the Archibald Prize.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, said the Young Archies provided an opportunity to showcase the wealth of talent in Tasmania's schools and colleges.

Mr McKim said that awards, now in their eighth year, gave students from Kindergarten to Year 12 the opportunity to create a portrait of a person they know using oil, acrylic, water and/or mixed media.

"The Young Archies is a fantastic opportunity for students to express themselves and to showcase the wealth of talent in our Government schools and colleges - right through from the very youngest to the oldest," Mr McKim said.

"It's also a great way for students to get a taste of what it's like to be part of a real art exhibition and in a venue as prestigious as the UTAS School of Art. 

"More than 250 portraits from 40 schools were entered in the competition, including several from Colleges across the state.

"Exhibitions were organised in schools prior to the event and three portraits from each grade in each participating school were selected for the Young Archies.

"Winners in each grade and overall winners were then decided by a judging panel based on originality, artistic merit, technical skills with the media or medium used and how they captured the essence of the portrait subject.

Mr McKim said that the Arts is an important and valuable part of the Tasmanian Curriculum.

"Art enables students to communicate, creatively problem solve, express themselves, exercise their imaginations and develop values and skills for life and learning," Mr McKim said.

"Our art teachers do a fantastic job in encouraging students and helping them to nurture their talents and I'd like to congratulate all of the students and teachers involved in the exhibition."

The Young Archies Exhibition is open to the public at the Tasmanian School of Art in Hobart until Sunday 9 September.

YOUNG ARCHIES AWARD WINNERS:

Kinder-Grade 2 - Bethany King (Jordan River Learning Federation) - Miss Murty

Grade 3-4 - Roy Steven (Illawarra Primary) - Morgan with Jimmy the Kitten

Grade 5-6 - Olivia Ware (Brighton Primary) - Bubbly Sarah

Grade 5-6 - Alison Palmer (Lansdowne Crescent Primary) - Miss Short

Overall Primary Winner - Mitchell Denman (Howrah Primary) Kev'n'Bev

Grade 7-8 - Irene Legg (Ogilvie High) - Ray of Happiness

Grade 7-8 - Sophie Elliott (Ogilvie High) - Self Portrait at 4

Grade 9-10 - Shannon Lee (Taroona High)- Alex Doesn't Know He's Beautiful

Year 11-12 - Amelia Digney (Launceston College) - Branching Out

Overall Secondary Winner - Luisa Leauanae (Launceston College) - Precious Time

Packer's Choice - Irene Legg (Ogilvie High) - Ray of Happiness

DoE Secretary's Award - Amelia Digney (Launceston College) - Branching Out