DP2 Students Present Visual Arts Capstone Projects At Rock Island Cafe
March 12, 2026 — Somersfield Academy hosted its DP2 Visual Arts Graduate Exhibition at Rock Island Cafe, marking the culmination of two years of creative exploration, experimentation, and artistic development.
The exhibition featured the final bodies of work from three DP2 students Nico Bean, Hayden Smith, and Excell Jordan with each presenting a collection that reflected their individual artistic journey. Family, friends, and staff gathered to experience the showcase, which included both paintings and sculptures, and to hear directly from the artists about their creative processes.
Nico’s signature acrylic pouring style was evident throughout his pieces, creating dynamic compositions that emphasised movement and colour while mixing abstraction with realism.
Hayden presented a collection inspired by marine life, offering thoughtful and visually engaging interpretations of ocean animals, drawing inspiration from former Somersfield Art Teacher and renowned local artist Anne Kermode’s dot painting style.
Excell’s work explored themes of the natural world and anatomy, with detailed depictions of dinosaurs reflecting his aspiration to become a scientific illustrator.
As part of the IB Visual Arts programme, students are challenged to work across a range of media while developing conceptual depth and technical skill. The exhibition highlighted this growth, with each student curating a cohesive body of work that demonstrated not only proficiency, but a clear sense of identity and perspective.
Together, the exhibition served as a compelling reflection of the students’ creativity, discipline, and willingness to explore new ideas. The DP2 Visual Arts Grad Show stands as an important milestone in their academic journey and a celebration of their growth as emerging artists.
Check out the exhibition from now, until the end of March at Rock Island Coffee Cafe. The artwork is available for purchase.
